Hey George:
Arrhthymia basically means 'bad rhythm' and encompasses a large group of heart problems, just like spondyloarthropathy is an umbrella term for AS, reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy and enteropathic spondyloarthropathy.
Arrhthymias can be too slow (bradycardia or slow heart) or too fast (tachycardia or fast heart). Of course, there are subdivisions within each of those that more accurately describe not only the pace (fast or slow) but also rhthym (regular, irregular, or (wait for it) irregularly irregular).
Just wanted to let you know that sometimes there IS a rhyme or reason to medical terms.
Dear Davo:
Really sorry to hear that things are so tough right now. 'Serious systemic autoimmune disease' doesn't sound good by anybody's standards. Hope you feel that you've got a good team looking out for you. Here's hoping for some progress really soon.
Hugs,
Jeanna
