Which of the following is the correct spelling?
- arhythmia
- arrhythmia
- arhythmia
- arrythmia
You are correct if you chose #2.

Arrhythmia
- commonly used in describing the irregularity of the rhythm or rate of the normal heart beat as in cardiac arrhythmia
- spelled with two Rs and is derived from arrhuthmia, the Greek noun for lack of rhythm
- rhythm is tucked in the middle of ar–rhythm–ia, which explains the two Hs
- believed to be first used in 1888 to describe irregularity of the pulse
Which of the following is the correct spelling?
- dysrrythmia
- dysrythmia
- dyrrhythmia
- dysrhythmia
You are correct if you chose #4.

Dysrhythmia
- used to describe rhythm disturbances of the brain such as cerebral dysrhythmia
- also used to describe the irregularity of the rhythm or rate of the normal heart beat
- spelled with one R, and is derived from rhythmus, Latin for rhythm
- rhythm is tucked in the middle of dys–rhythm–ia which explains the two Hs
- first known use was circa 1909
To Sum-up the Difference
- Both terms are used to describe irregularity of the heart rhythm although arrhythmia is most commonly used.
- Dysrhythmia is also used to describe disturbances of the brain.
- Arrhythmia is spelled with two Rs, dysrhythmia is spelled with one R, the difference perhaps is explained by their origins:
- arrhythmia is derived from arrhuthmia, a Greek noun.
- dysrhythmia is derived from rhythmus, Latin noun.
- Both terms have two Hs as in the word rhythm
Click Here for more information.
Read other Featured Terms
Like this post? Share it with your friends!