Cardiac arrhythmias
A quick, illustrated review of the major heart rhythm disturbances.

Palpitations
Palpitations - an unusual awareness of the heart beat - is one of the main symptoms of cardiac arrhythmias.  Here is a review of palpitations and what they mean. 

Syncope - loss of consciousness
Short of sudden death, syncope is the most dangerous symptom produced by heart rhythm disturbances.  Here is a review of syncope and how it should be evaluated and treated.

Tests commonly used to diagnose arrhythmias
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
Electrophysiology study (EP study) 
Holter monitor and event recorder

Useful inks
General links related to cardiac arrhythmias
Links related to atrial fibrillation and flutter
Links related to SVT and WPW
Links related to ventricular arrhythmias
Links related to electrophysiology testing and ablation
Links related to implantable defibrillators
Links related to pacemakers

Bundle branch block
A discussion of this common ECG finding, and how it should be managed.

Inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST)
IST is a real medical problem, and not "in your head."  Here's a common-sense discussion of this common arrhythmia.

Pacemakers
A review of pacemakers - what they are, what they do, and what to expect when you get one.

Premature ventricular complexes (PVCs)
Read why PVCs are like bear droppings.

Sudden death after heart attacks
All too often, a patient survives a heart attack and is apparently doing well, only to die suddenly from cardiac arrhythmias.  Fortunately, this catastrophe can usually be prevented - if the doctor pays appropriate attention to the risk of sudden death.

Should you have an implantable defibrillator?
Implantable defibrillators (ICDs) are superb at preventing sudden death - the trick is to identify high-risk patients, and to have a doc who understands that your life is just as important to you as Vice President Cheney's is to him.

The strange life of amiodarone
What you need to know about this commonly used antiarrhythmic drug - the most effective, yet most toxic, antiarrhythmic drug on the market.