Common Cardiac Arrhythmias to Know

❤️ Common Cardiac Arrhythmias to Know

1. Sinus Bradycardia

HR: < 60 bpm

Causes: Athlete’s heart, vagal stimulation, meds (beta-blockers, digoxin)

Treatment: Only if symptomatic → atropine, pacemaker

2. Sinus Tachycardia

HR: > 100 bpm

Causes: Fever, pain, anxiety, hypovolemia, stimulants

Treatment: Treat underlying cause (pain meds, fluids, etc.)

3. Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib)

Rhythm: Irregularly irregular, no P waves

Risk: ↓ cardiac output, ↑ risk of clots/stroke

Treatment: Anticoagulants (warfarin, DOACs), rate/rhythm control (beta-blockers, amiodarone), possible cardioversion

4. Atrial Flutter

Rhythm: “Saw-tooth” flutter waves

Treatment: Similar to A-fib → rate/rhythm control, anticoagulation, cardioversion

5. Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)

HR: 150–250 bpm

Symptoms: Palpitations, chest pain, dizziness

Treatment: Vagal maneuvers (bear down, cough), adenosine, cardioversion if unstable

6. Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs)

Wide, bizarre QRS

Cause: Stress, caffeine, electrolyte imbalance, MI

Treatment: Correct cause; if frequent → antiarrhythmics (amiodarone)

7. Ventricular Tachycardia (V-Tach)

HR: 100–250 bpm, wide QRS

Can be pulseless (emergency!)

Treatment:

With pulse: antiarrhythmics (amiodarone), synchronized cardioversion

Pulseless: CPR + defibrillation

8. Ventricular Fibrillation (V-Fib)

Chaotic, no pulse

Treatment: Immediate CPR + defibrillation

9. Asystole

Flatline, no electrical activity

Treatment: CPR, epinephrine, do not defibrillate

⚡ NCLEX Tip: Always assess if the patient is stable or unstable.

Unstable rhythms = immediate intervention (CPR, defib, cardioversion).

Stable patients = medications or monitoring.

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