What does the term "arrhythmia" refer to?

Arrhythmia refers to any irregularity in the rhythm of the heartbeat, which encompasses a variety of conditions where the heart beats too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly. This can include various types of abnormal heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, or tachycardia. Understanding arrhythmias is crucial for cardiovascular health as they can lead to complications such as stroke or heart failure if not properly managed.

The option describing a normal heart rhythm would not be accurate in this context, as arrhythmia specifically denotes a deviation from the normal. A benchmark for heart rate does not encompass the definition of arrhythmia, as it focuses on the rate rather than the rhythm. Finally, while a heart murmur can indeed be a sign of underlying heart issues, it is a separate entity and not synonymous with arrhythmia, which pertains primarily to rhythmic irregularities.