Which term means an abnormal heart rhythm?

• A. Hyperpnea
• B. Arrhythmia
• C. Atheroma
• D. Sinusitis

Answer: (B)

Arrhythmia is the term for an abnormal heart rhythm. It describes any deviation from the heart’s normal electrical rhythm, which normally keeps a steady rate and pattern. When the electrical signals that coordinate heartbeats go awry, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular pattern. Understanding this root helps you recognize why the term specifically targets rhythm issues rather than other heart problems.

The other terms aren’t about heart rhythm:

• Hyperpnea refers to increased depth and/or rate of breathing.

• Atheroma is fatty plaque buildup inside arteries.

• Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinus cavities.

So, the term that denotes an abnormal heart rhythm directly is arrhythmia.