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Causes of Arrhythmias (Heart Rhythm Disturbances)

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Arrhythmias are very common, both the harmless type and the dangerous type. An arrhythmia can be caused by:

  • The heart's natural pacemaker developing an abnormal rate or rhythm
  • The normal electrical conduction pathway being interrupted
  • Another part of the heart (other than the sinus node) taking over as pacemaker

The most common cause of dangerous arrhythmias is a heart attack. When the heart is deprived of adequate blood supply during a heart attack, its electrical activity can become erratic. Diseased heart valves and diseased heart muscle, direct injury to the heart, diseases that alter the body's chemical balance, and several kinds of medication can also upset the heart's circuitry.

The most common causes of arrhythmia include:

  • Coronary artery disease (eg, heart attacks)
  • Diseased myocardium (heart muscle)
  • Abnormal heart valves
  • Birth defects
  • Stress
  • Caffeine
  • Tobacco
  • Alcohol
  • Illegal stimulants, such as cocaine and methedrine
  • Diet pills
  • Some over-the-counter medications, such as cough and cold medicines
  • Various prescription medications, for example:
    • Heart medicines
    • Asthma medicines
    • Psychoactive medicines, such as antidepressants
    • Thyroid hormone replacement medicines

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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References

  • Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine . 14th edition. McGraw-Hill; 1998.

  • Mayo Clinic and Foundation for Medical Education and Research website. Available at: http://www.mayo.edu/ .

  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/ .

  • National Institutes of Health website. Available at: http://www.nih.gov/ .

  • Snow, V, Weiss, KB, LeFevre, M, et al. Management of newly detected atrial fibrillation: a clinical practice guideline from the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2003;139:1009

  • Weber, BE, Kapoor, WN. Evaluation and outcomes of patients with palpitations. Am J Med. 1996;100:138.