What does an irregular rhythm indicate?

An irregular rhythm indicates a deviation from a normal sinus rhythm, which is characterized by consistent intervals between heartbeats. In a normal sinus rhythm, the heartbeats occur in a regular pattern due to the electrical impulses generated by the sinoatrial (SA) node. When the rhythm becomes irregular, it means that the intervals between heartbeats vary, which can suggest underlying issues such as arrhythmias or other cardiac problems.

Identifying an irregular rhythm is important for medical professionals, as it can lead to further diagnostic processes to understand the patient's cardiac health. An expected heart rate typically refers to a heart rate within normal limits, while a consistent heart pattern indicates regular rhythm with equal intervals between beats, neither of which describes the situation of an irregular rhythm.