Sinus bradycardia (persistent and symptomatic (Slow heartbeat, regular)

Permanent cardiac pacemaker

Sinus tachycardia (Fast heartbeat regular)

Beta blockers (but not if heart failure is present).

Slow Heart Beats (Bradycardia)

Sinus node dysfunction (irregular)

Permanent cardiac pacemaker.

First degree heart block (regular)

No treatment necessary.

Second degree heart block (regular or irregular)

Pacemaker.

Permanent complete heart block (3rd degree) (irregular)

Permanent cardiac pacemaker, as susceptible to blackouts known as "Stokes - Adams attacks".

Bundle branch block (regular)

Usually, no treatment is needed, but an artificial pacemaker may be needed in people with symptoms, &/or at high risk of complete heart block.

Fast Heart Beats (Tachycardias)

Atrial ectopic beats (irregular)

Treatment only necessary if symptoms troublesome or if danger of leading to further arrhythmias.

Atrial flutter (regular)

• Electrical cardioversion in acute situations.
• Anti arrhythmic medication.
• Catheter ablation.

Atrial fibrillation (irregular)

• Treat underlying cause (i.e. thyrotoxicosis),
• Electrical cardioversion and/or antiarrhythmic medication.

In chronic state:

• Electrical cardioversion,
• Anticoagulants to prevent clot and emboli formation,
• Maintenance anti arrhythmic drugs.

Accessory pathways (i.e. Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome).

• Catheter ablation of accessory pathway,
• Or Anti arrhythmic drugs.

Ventricular Arrhythmias

Ventricular ectopic beats (premature beats, extrasystoles) (irregular)

• In normal heart - usually no treatment,
• In heart disease - anti arrhythmic medication.

Ventricular tachycardia (irregular)

• Electrical cardioversion or intravenous and maintenance anti arrhythmics,
• Implantable defibrillator.

Ventricular fibrillation (irregular)

• Immediate cardioversion,
• Emergency situation (++).