In the context of heart function, how is "arrhythmia" defined?

Arrhythmia refers to an irregular heartbeat, which can manifest as a variety of patterns in heart rhythm, such as a heartbeat that is too fast, too slow, or that skips beats. This condition can disrupt the normal flow of blood and impacts the overall efficiency of the cardiovascular system.

In the context of cardiac function, recognizing that arrhythmia includes any deviation from the normal rhythm underscores its potential impact on health. It can result from changes in the heart's electrical impulses, leading to potentially serious consequences if not managed properly. Other options describe different heart-related conditions, such as bradycardia (slow heartbeat) or tachycardia (elevated heart rate), but they do not encompass the broader definition of arrhythmia, which specifically highlights the irregularity of the heartbeat itself.