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Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia)

An abnormal heart rhythm is when your heart beats too slow, too fast or with an irregular pattern. Symptoms may include chest pain, dizziness, fluttering in your chest and a racing heartbeat. While most abnormal heart rhythms are not dangerous, they may indicate serious underlying heart disease. Find out more below.

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Evidence Summary

Educational and behavioural interventions for anticoagulant therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2017)
Evidence Summary

Pre-hospital versus in-hospital initiation of cooling for survival and neuroprotection after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2016)
Web Resource Rating

Atrial fibrillation
Informed Health Online

Atrial fibrillation is when the heart rate is abnormal, and usually too fast. Atrial fibrillation causes heart palpitations or feeling faint. There are different treatment options for atrial fibrillation; talk to your doctor about what would work best for you.
Web Resource Rating

Atrial fibrillation - Preventing strokes
Informed Health Online

In the long term, atrial fibrillation can increase the risk of stroke. Some people might be at greater risk for a stroke, depending on what other risk factors they have. A doctor might prescribe anticoagulant medication to lower this risk.
Patient Decision Aid

Supraventricular tachycardia: Should I have catheter ablation?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people with heart rate problems with symptoms that bother them a lot and do not want to take medicine, or medicine has not worked decide on whether or not to have catheter ablation. It facilitates the process by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Patient Decision Aid

Heart Failure: Should I Get an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people at risk of having an abnormal heart rhythm that could cause sudden death decide on whether or not to get an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Patient Decision Aid

Heart Rhythm Problems: Should I Get an Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD)?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people with heart rhythm problems but do not have heart failure decide on whether or not to get an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Evidence Summary

Factor Xa inhibitors versus vitamin K antagonists for preventing cerebral or systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2018)
Evidence Summary

In people 65 years or older, new anticoagulant pills reduce stroke, with fewer serious bleeds, compared with warfarin
Age Ageing (2017)
Patient Decision Aid

Heart Disease Risk: Should I Have a Coronary Calcium Scan?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people who are curious about their risk for heart disease but don't have angina symptoms decide on whether or not to have a coronary calcium scan. It facilitates the process by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Evidence Summary

Web-based interventions are effective in the short term for improving risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease in older individuals
Journal of Medical Internet Research (2016)
Patient Decision Aid

Atrial Fibrillation: Should I Try Electrical Cardioversion?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps patients with atrial fibrillation decide on whether or not to try electrical cardioversion by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options. It also includes alternative options such as using medicine to control heart rate and prevent stroke.
Patient Decision Aid

Atrial Fibrillation: Should I Have Catheter Ablation?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people with heart rhythm problems decide on whether or not to have a catheter ablation by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Patient Decision Aid

Atrial Fibrillation: Which Anticoagulant Should I Take to Prevent Stroke?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation or already taking warfarin decide on whether to take warfarin or a different anticoagulant to prevent stroke by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Patient Decision Aid

Atrial Fibrillation Decision Support Tool.
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps primary care clinicians, cardiologists, NPs, PAs with their patients decide on an anticoagulant medication for atrial fibrillation. It facilitates the process by outlining the different types of medication and comparing the risks and benefits of each option.
Patient Decision Aid

Heart Rate Problems: Should I Get a Pacemaker?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people with heart rate problems but not heart failure decide on whether or not to get a pacemaker by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Web Resource Rating

Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
Patient.co.uk

Arrhythmias are abnormal heart beats, some are more serious than others. Your doctor may recommend an electrocardiogram (ECG) test to find the cause and recommend treatment.
Evidence Summary

Mobile health interventions can improve medication adherence and physical activity in patients with cardiovascular disease
European Journal of Preventative Cardiology (2015)
Evidence Summary

In people with blood clots in the leg or certain heart rhythm problems, direct oral anticoagulants reduce deaths due to blood clots or bleeding compared with warfarin
J Thromb Haemost (2015)
Evidence Summary

In people with heart failure, implanted cardiac devices with both resynchronization and defibrillation save more lives than either alone
Heart (2015)
Evidence Summary

Some new anticoagulant pills reduce cardiovascular events and serious bleeding
Circulation (2015)
Evidence Summary

Nurse-led clinics can lower the risk of death and myocardial infarction, and increase medication adherence in patients with cardiovascular diseases
Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing (2015)
Evidence Summary

Direct thrombin inhibitors versus vitamin K antagonists for preventing cerebral or systemic embolism in people with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2014)
Evidence Summary

New anticoagulant pills reduce cardiovascular events and do not increase serious bleeding
J Am Geriatr Soc (2014)
Evidence Summary

Bisphosphonates increase risk of serious atrial fibrillation by a small amount
Chest (2013)
Evidence Summary

In people with, or at risk of, heart disease, fatty acid supplements do not prevent heart attacks or death
Ann Intern Med (2014)
Evidence Summary

(a) In patients with atrial fibrillation, 2 tools are best for predicting risk for stroke; a third tool is best for predicting risk for bleeding
AHRQ Comparative Effectiveness Reviews (2013)
Evidence Summary

For people with atrial fibrillation, new “blood thinners” (factor Xa inhibitors) reduce strokes and clots more than warfarin
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2013)
Web Resource Rating

Atrial fibrillation
Patient.co.uk

Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal fast irregular heartbeat. It can cause palpitations, dizziness, chest pain, and breathlessness. Different medications can help control the speed and rhythm of your heart. Talk to your doctor to learn more.
Web Resource Rating

Atrial fibrillation and stroke prevention
Patient.co.uk

The main complication of atrial fibrillation is increased risk of having a stroke. Anticoagulants can help lower this risk. Talk to your doctor about your risk and if you should take anticoagulant medication.
Web Resource Rating

Restoring a normal heart rhythm: The pros and cons
Informed Health Online

There are a few different treatment options for atrial fibrillation – one of them is medication to restore a normal heart rhythm. There are benefits and risks to this type of treatment. Talk to your doctor about what would work best for you.
Patient Decision Aid

Sinusitis: Should I take antibiotics?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps people decide on whether or not to take antibiotics to treat sinusitis by comparing the benefits, risks, and side effects of both options.
Patient Decision Aid

Atrial Fibrillation: Should I Take an Anticoagulant to Prevent Stroke?
OHRI

This patient decision aid helps atrial fibrillation patients considering anticoagulant medication decide on whether or not to take an anticoagulant medicine to reduce the risk of stroke by comparing the benefits, risks and side effects of both options.
Web Resource Rating

Atrial fibrillation
Mayo Clinic

Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal or irregular heart beat that can increase your risk of circulation problems. Some people have no symptoms, some people feel weak, dizzy or short of breath. Treatments include electric cardioversion, surgery or medication.
Web Resource Rating

Broken heart syndrome
Mayo Clinic

Broken heart syndrome is a temporary condition often caused by emotional stress. Symptoms include sudden chest pain, irregular heartbeat and shortness of breath. If you are having chest pain after an emotional event, call 911. This resource includes questions to ask your doctor.
Web Resource Rating

Heart failure
Mayo Clinic

Heart failure occurs when your heart is not pumping as well as it should. You may be at risk if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or coronary artery disease. Living a healthier lifestyle and certain medications can help prevent and manage heart failure. Read more in this resource including questions to ask your doctor.
Web Resource Rating

Medicines to prevent abnormal heart rhythm in heart failure
Health Link B.C.

Abnormal heart rhythms can be dangerous. Your doctor might prescribe medicine to treat this condition, such as beta-blockers or amiodarone. Details about these medicines in this resource.
Evidence Summary

Efficacy and safety of ablation for people with non-paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Web Resource Rating

Sick sinus syndrome
Mayo Clinic

Sick sinus syndrome is a type of arrhythmia caused by the heart's pacemaker not working properly. Sick sinus syndrome is not common, but the risk increases with age. It can be treated with medication and/or pacemakers.
Evidence Summary

Telerehabilitation may be a feasible way to encourage exercise and improve physical functioning among those with cardiopulmonary disease
Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention (2015)
Evidence Summary

People with dementia living in the community and their caregivers may benefit most from interventions with multiple components that are tailored to their needs
BMC Geriatrics (2015)
Evidence Summary

Self-management support interventions improve patient quality of life and reduce use of hospital care for patients with long-term respiratory and cardiovascular conditions
Health Services and Delivery Research (2014)
Web Resource Rating

Who is at risk for atrial fibrillation (AF or AFib)?
American Heart Association

You may be at risk for atrial fibrillation if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, another chronic condition or family history of this condition.
Blog Post

Abnormal heart rhythms: How do different medications stack up?

For people with atrial fibrillation, newer blood thinners may be safer and more effective than older, more commonly prescribed medications.
Blog Post

Irregular heartbeat a possible side effect of osteoporosis medication

Bisphosphonates are drugs that help increase bone strength in people with osteoporosis. They are effective, but may also contribute to irregular heartbeats (atrial fibrillation).

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