Final answer:
Heart arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats that can be life-threatening and are treatable with cardiac defibrillators or implanted pacemakers for real-time monitoring and response.
Step-by-step explanation:
Heart arrhythmias are conditions where the heartbeat is irregular, too fast (tachycardia), or too slow (bradycardia). They can be life-threatening and may require intervention with a cardiac defibrillator. This device delivers an electrical shock to the heart to restore a normal rhythm. Real-time monitoring allows physicians to quickly respond to arrhythmias within 1 minute, potentially saving lives.
For patients with chronic arrhythmias, the heart may settle into a junctional rhythm originating from the AV node. A cardiologist can implant an artificial pacemaker, which delivers electrical impulses to regulate the heartbeat. Pacemakers can be programmed for on-demand or continuous stimulation, and some have built-in defibrillators.
When an arrhythmia is detected, especially if severe, treatments such as cardioversion or defibrillation may be administered to prevent complications like stroke or heart failure. Portable devices like automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are vital in emergency situations to restore the heart's rhythm.