Which heart condition is characterized by a fast and irregular heartbeat?

The condition characterized by a fast and irregular heartbeat is arrhythmia. Arrhythmias encompass a broad spectrum of heart rhythm disorders, including various types of abnormal heartbeats that can be either too fast (tachyarrhythmias) or too slow (bradyarrhythmias). The irregularity in rhythm can manifest in various forms, with some groups of arrhythmias being associated with palpitations, dizziness, or even more severe symptoms depending on their nature.

While atrial flutter is indeed a specific type of arrhythmia characterized by a rapid heart rate due to inefficient electrical signaling in the atria, it falls under the broader category of arrhythmias. Bradycardia, on the other hand, refers to a slower than normal heart rate and does not describe a fast rhythm. A myocardial infarction is not directly characterized by heart rhythm but is a condition resulting from the obstruction of blood flow to the heart muscle, often leading to arrhythmias as a secondary effect.

Understanding arrhythmias as a category allows for recognition of both their irregular patterns and the complexities involved in the diagnosis and management of various heart rhythm disorders.