Causes of Arrhythmia


  • Coronary Artery Disease: The flow of blood is disrupted when the coronary arteries are not functioning properly or have narrowed due to plaque formation.
  • Sodium or Potassium deficiency: The deficiencies of important elements such as sodium and potassium may cause electrolyte imbalances in the body.
  • Changes in the Heart Muscle: There are diseases that may affect the heart muscles. This could affect the contracting and expanding of the heart, causing arrhythmias.
  • Injuries from a previous heart condition, such as a heart attack could cause disruption in the heart’s electrical impulses. This would cause arrhythmias and other heart related troubles.
  • After a person has undergone a heart surgery, there may be impartial healing of the heart muscles, which may trigger arrhythmias.
  • Narrowed heart valves: Under certain conditions, heart valves narrow and begin to leak. This works the heart more than usual and can lead to a heart failure.
  • Congenital Defects: There may be congenital defects in the heart structure or the muscles, which makes it difficult for the heart muscles to function normally.
  • Other conditions which may cause arrhythmias include high blood pressure, infections affecting the heart muscles, diabetes, sleep apnea and problems of the thyroid gland.
People who smoke and drink heavily are usually at a risk of developing various heart diseases, including arrhythmias. Those born with congenital heart defects and those who have hormonal disorders may also experience arrhythmias. Older people are at a higher risk of arrhythmias.