An abnormal heartbeat is a heart rhythm problem called an arrhythmia.

Sometimes, things go wrong in the heart's electrical pathways. An electrical signal may be sent from a part of the heart that should not be sending signals. This creates abnormal heartbeats. The heart may beat too slowly, too rapidly, or just irregularly. The end result of abnormal heartbeats is that the heart may not be able pump blood to the body and brain effectively. This condition can cause minor problems or very serious life-threatening situations.