Causes and Diagnoses

Causes and Diagnoses of Arrhythmia 

Heart rhythm disorders (also called arrhythmias) are problems with your heart’s internal electrical system that result in irregular heartbeats. Heart rhythm disorders can result from a variety of causes, including:

• Underlying heart conditions: Heart conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart valve disease or heart failure can lead in an arrhythmia. 

• Abnormal electrolyte levels: An abnormal electrolyte level, such as a potassium, magnesium or calcium imbalance may result in an arrhythmia.
• Thyroid problems
• Caffeine
• Emotional stress
• Side effects of medication (prescribed or illicit)
• Physical activity can also alter your heart rhythm

Diagnosing arrhythmia 

At the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Medicine, our cardiac care team, which includes electrophysiologists (cardiology heart rhythm specialists), cardiac surgeons and specially trained nurses and technicians, provides a range of non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures to help diagnose arrhythmias.