the diagnostic term arrhythmia means
What You Need to Know About Arrhythmias. Normally, special heart cells generate an electrical signal that travels through the heart. The electricity causes the heart muscle to contract, and thatâs what makes a heartbeat. An arrhythmia means the heart is not beating in the proper rhythm.This can cause anything from minor symptoms all the way to cardiac arrest and death. Since different rhythm disturbances need different treatments, diagnosing the precise type of arrhythmia is important.ometimes arrhythmias are silent, meaning they cause no obvious symptoms. A doctor can detect an irregular heartbeat during a physical exam by taking your pulse, listening to your heart or by performing diagnostic tests.