Which term describes irregular heart rhythm?

• A. EKG
• B. Arrhythmia
• C. Troponin
• D. GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale)

Answer: (B)

An irregular heart rhythm is called an arrhythmia. This term covers any variation from the heart’s normal, steady beat, which is governed by the heart’s electrical system. When the electrical signals fire too fast, too slow, or in an uncoordinated way, the heart doesn’t maintain its regular rhythm, which can manifest as palpitations, dizziness, or fainting in some cases. An EKG (electrocardiogram) is a test used to visualize and diagnose arrhythmias by recording the heart’s electrical activity and identifying the specific pattern of the irregular rhythm. Troponin is a marker of heart muscle injury, such as from a heart attack, not a rhythm issue. Glasgow Coma Scale measures level of consciousness, not heart rhythm. So the term that directly describes an irregular heart rhythm is arrhythmia.