Cardiac arrhythmia refers to the abnormal electrical activity that can occur within the heart which disrupts its normal beating rhythm. The heart's rhythm is controlled by a coordinated series of electrical signals that regulate the contraction and relaxation of its chambers. When this electrical system becomes disrupted, it can lead to a range of arrhythmias, each with its own causes and consequences. Issues with the heart's electrical conduction system can result in arrhythmias. This can include problems with the sinoatrial (SA) node, which generates the heart's electrical impulses, or the atrioventricular (AV) node, which helps coordinate the signals between the atria and ventricles. Conditions such as coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction (heart attack), and heart failure can damage the heart muscle and its electrical pathways, leading to arrhythmias. Anatomical abnormalities in the heart, such as congenital heart defects, can similarly disrupt the heart's electrical pathways and cause arrhythmias, whilst electrolyte imbalances of potassium, sodium or calcium ions which normally play a crucial role in maintaining the heart's electrical activity, can also interfere with normal conduction and trigger arrhythmias. Certain medications, recreational drugs, and excessive alcohol or caffeine consumption can also interfere with the heart's electrical system and induce arrhythmias. For example, some medications used to treat arrhythmias, including Class IA, IB, IC, II, III, and IV antiarrhythmics, can themselves cause arrhythmias, if not used appropriately or if taken in excessive doses. Moreover, some antibiotics, such as macrolides (e.g., erythromycin, azithromycin) and fluoroquinolones (e.g., ciprofloxacin), can prolong the QT interval (the time it takes for the heart's ventricles to contract and then recover), which is associated with an increased risk of a specific type of arrhythmia called Torsades de Pointes. Finally, emotional stress, anxiety, and intense physical exertion can also lead to arrhythmias due to their impact on the autonomic nervous system.There are various consequences of cardiac arrhythmias. Arrhythmias can disrupt the coordinated contraction of the heart chambers, leading to reduced blood flow and compromised cardiac output. This can result in symptoms such as dizziness, light-headedness, and fainting. Some arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation, can lead to blood clots forming within the heart's chambers (thromboembolism). These clots can dislodge and travel to other parts of the body, causing stroke or other organ damage. Persistent arrhythmias, if left untreated, can contribute to the development of heart failure. Irregular rhythms can also weaken the heart muscle over time, reducing its ability to pump blood effectively. Certain arrhythmias, such as ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, can be life-threatening. They can lead to sudden cardiac death if not promptly treated through interventions like defibrillation. Rapid arrhythmias can also compromise blood flow to the heart muscle, leading to angina (chest pain) and myocardial ischemia (lack of oxygen to the heart tissue). Managing cardiac arrhythmias involves a combination of strategies tailored to the specific type of arrhythmia, its underlying cause, and the patient's overall health. Treatment options include medications, lifestyle changes, implantable devices (pacemakers and defibrillators), catheter-based procedures (ablation), and in some cases, surgical interventions. We offer a wide product range of research reagents for investigating cardiac arrhythmia, including Desmin antibodies, Vinculin antibodies, Sarcomeric Alpha Actinin antibodies, Angiotensinogen ELISA Kits, and Desmin ELISA Kits. Explore our full cardiac arrhythmia product range below and discover more, for less.