What is an arrhythmia most commonly triggered by?

An arrhythmia is most commonly triggered by various factors that disrupt the normal electrical activity of the heart. Among these, electrolyte imbalances, emotional stress, and hypoxia are significant contributors.

Electrolytes, such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium, play a crucial role in maintaining the heart's electrical stability. An imbalance in these electrolytes can lead to disturbances in the heart's rhythm, causing arrhythmias. Emotional stress can also impact heart rhythm, as stress hormones may influence heart rate and contractility, leading to potential arrhythmias. Lastly, hypoxia, or a deficiency in oxygen supply to the heart muscle, can disrupt normal cellular function and lead to irregular heartbeats.

In contrast, while medications can influence heart rhythms, they are not as commonly recognized as triggers when compared to the collective impact of the aforementioned factors. Increased blood supply to myocardial cells typically enhances heart function rather than causing irregularities, and unstable angina patterns are indicative of coronary artery issues rather than direct triggers for arrhythmias. Thus, the combination of electrolyte imbalance, emotional stress, and hypoxia provides a comprehensive view of common arrhythmia triggers.