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Cardiac Arrhythmias

Family Medicine

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The electrical activation of heart muscle follows a precise and organized pathway which ensures that contraction and relaxation occur in an efficient way to support effective circulation. Arrhythmias result from an abnormal electrical activation of the heart which may lead to an abnormal rhythm and rate of the heart cycle. While some arrhythmias are benign and pose no significant cardiovascular compromise, others degrade the mechanical pumping activity and lead to hemodynamic compromise and, in some cases, to collapse and or death.

Arrhythmias are commonly seen in primary care, and many are diagnosed and managed by primary care physicians, either alone or along with a cardiologist. Although more common among the elderly and those with heart disease, they must be considered in the differential diagnosis of all patients presenting with syncope, lightheadedness, palpitations, fatigue, dyspnea on exertion, and shortness of breath. The main goal in evaluating patients is to first assess...

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Family Medicine and Public Health, University of California, 402 Dickinson St, MC 8809, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA

    Cecilia Gutierrez

  2. Family Medicine and Public Health, UCSD School of Medicine, 402 Dickinson ST, MC 8809, San Diego, CA, USA

    Esmat Hatamy

Authors
  1. Cecilia Gutierrez
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  2. Esmat Hatamy
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Correspondence to Cecilia Gutierrez .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family Medicine, University of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska, USA

    Paul Paulman

  2. Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA

    Robert Taylor

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Gutierrez, C., Hatamy, E. (2015). Cardiac Arrhythmias. In: Paulman, P., Taylor, R. (eds) Family Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0779-3_84-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0779-3_84-1

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  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-0779-3

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Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Cardiac Arrhythmias
    Published:
    26 July 2020

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0779-3_84-2

  2. Original

    Cardiac Arrhythmias
    Published:
    08 September 2015

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0779-3_84-1

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