Reentry Arrhythmia: Types, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Explore what reentry arrhythmia is, why it occurs, its symptoms, and effective treatment options for a healthier heart.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 26, 2025

Explore what reentry arrhythmia is, why it occurs, its symptoms, and effective treatment options for a healthier heart.

Understanding Reentry Arrhythmia

A reentry arrhythmia is a type of abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) where the heart’s electrical impulses follow an abnormal, looping circuit. Instead of traveling their usual one-way path through the heart, these impulses circle back to stimulate the same region repeatedly, disturbing the heart’s natural rhythm. This closed-loop circuit can cause the heart to beat too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly, leading to a range of symptoms and health issues.

How Normal Heart Rhythm Works

The heart’s rhythm is regulated by electrical signals generated in a natural pacemaker called the sinus node (located in the right atrium). These signals make the atria contract and pump blood to the heart’s lower chambers, or ventricles. Next, the signals move to the atrioventricular (AV) node, pause briefly, and then travel to the ventricles through specialized pathways (like the bundle of His and bundle branches), prompting them to pump blood to the body and lungs.

Sinus node: Originates the impulse.
Atria: Contract to push blood into the ventricles.
AV node: Delays impulse for coordinated contraction.
Bundle of His & branches: Conduct to ventricles, causing contraction.

When this process is disrupted by a reentry circuit, the electrical signal does not move forward as it should. Instead, it loops back and restimulates heart areas, potentially causing rapid or irregular heartbeats.

Types of Reentry Arrhythmia

The specific symptoms and risks of reentry arrhythmias depend on their location within the heart. The most common types include:

Atrial fibrillation (AFib): Rapid, uncoordinated impulses in the atria, leading to an irregular and often fast heartbeat.
Atrial flutter: A reentry circuit in the atria causes the atria to beat rapidly but in a more regular pattern than AFib.
Atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT): The most common type of supraventricular tachycardia; a circuit forms within or near the AV node.
Atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT): Often involves an extra pathway connecting the atria and ventricles, creating a loop.
Ventricular tachycardia: A reentry circuit in the ventricles, causing rapid ventricular contractions.

Type	Location	Main Features
Atrial fibrillation (AFib)	Atria	Irregular, rapid heart rhythm, risk of stroke
Atrial flutter	Atria	Regular, fast rhythm; less chaotic than AFib
AVNRT	AV node region	Sudden episodes of rapid heart rate
AVRT	Extra pathway (accessory)	Rapid heartbeat, especially in younger people
Ventricular tachycardia	Ventricles	Fast, potentially life-threatening rhythm

Causes and Risk Factors of Reentry Arrhythmia

Reentry arrhythmias occur when the heart has an extra electrical pathway or some form of tissue alteration that allows an impulse to circle back before the rest period is complete. The underlying reasons include:

Genetic factors: Some people are born with extra conduction pathways.
Structural heart disease: Previous heart attacks, congenital defects, or scarring from surgery can alter electrical conduction.
Certain medications: Drugs that change heart conduction speed can facilitate reentry circuits.
Electrolyte disturbances: Abnormal potassium, magnesium, or calcium levels.
Other heart conditions: Hypertension, heart failure, or valvular disease may increase risk.
Advancing age: Older adults have a higher risk due to heart tissue changes.

Common Risk Factors

Family history of arrhythmias
Coronary artery disease
Obesity
Obstructive sleep apnea
History of heart surgery or procedures
High blood pressure

Symptoms of Reentry Arrhythmia

Symptoms may vary widely in severity and can be brief or persistent. Some arrhythmias produce no noticeable symptoms, but others can be highly disruptive or even dangerous. The most common symptoms include:

Palpitations: Feeling your heart race, flutter, or skip beats.
Rapid heartbeat: Sudden pounding or racing heart (tachycardia).
Chest pain or discomfort
Dizziness or lightheadedness
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Fainting (syncope): Temporary loss of consciousness.

Frequently, symptoms are triggered or made worse by physical exertion, stress, or stimulants like caffeine.

Complications Associated With Reentry Arrhythmia

Most reentry arrhythmias are treatable, but without medical intervention, they can lead to serious complications. These may include:

Heart failure: When the heart cannot pump blood efficiently due to prolonged abnormal rhythms.
Stroke: Especially with atrial fibrillation, blood clots can form and travel to the brain.
Cardiac arrest: Sudden loss of heart function, more likely with ventricular arrhythmias.
Organ failure: Reduced blood flow can damage vital organs.
Vascular dementia: Chronic inadequate blood flow to the brain.

Treatment Options for Reentry Arrhythmia

Effective treatment depends on the arrhythmia type, its severity, and your overall health. A combination of medications, procedural interventions, and lifestyle changes is often necessary. Options include:

Medications

Antiarrhythmic drugs: Help normalize heart rhythm (either slowing or speeding up as required).
Beta-blockers: Slow the heart rate and reduce symptoms.
Calcium channel blockers: Help control certain arrhythmias.
Anticoagulants: Used in conditions like AFib to prevent blood clots and stroke.

Medical Procedures

Cardioversion: Electrical or chemical method to restore normal rhythm.
Catheter ablation: A catheter delivers energy (radiofrequency or cryoablation) to destroy small heart areas causing the circuit. This method is successful in about 97% of people with AVRT and is routinely used for several reentry arrhythmias.
Implantable devices: Pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) can be used to monitor and correct irregular rhythms.

Lifestyle Modifications

Eat a heart-healthy diet (such as Mediterranean or DASH diet).
Exercise regularly—but avoid overexertion without medical guidance.
Limit or avoid alcohol.
Do not smoke.
Manage stress through relaxation techniques.
Get adequate sleep and treat underlying conditions such as sleep apnea.

Follow-Up and Management

People who do not achieve cure with a single treatment may need repeated procedures or lifelong follow-up with a cardiologist, sometimes with a specialist called an electrophysiologist.

Outlook for People With Reentry Arrhythmia

With proper management, reentry arrhythmias can often be effectively treated, allowing most individuals to lead a normal, healthy life. Ablation and medications are highly successful, but some people may need ongoing care or multiple treatments. If the arrhythmia cannot be entirely eliminated, careful symptom management and heart health monitoring are essential.

Key Takeaways

Reentry arrhythmia involves a looping electrical circuit that disrupts the heart’s normal rhythm.
Types include AFib, atrial flutter, AVNRT, AVRT, and ventricular tachycardia.
Symptoms can range from mild palpitations to severe episodes requiring emergency care.
Major complications include stroke, heart failure, and cardiac arrest if left untreated.
Treatment is usually very effective and may combine medications, lifestyle changes, and procedures such as ablation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What causes a reentry circuit to form?

A reentry circuit forms when there is an abnormal or extra electrical pathway in the heart or changes in heart tissue that allow impulses to travel in a loop, rather than strictly forward. Causes can include genetic defects, prior heart damage, scarring, or structural heart disease.

Can reentry arrhythmia be prevented?

Not all reentry arrhythmias are preventable, especially those linked to genetics or congenital heart conditions. However, maintaining good cardiovascular health, controlling blood pressure, managing chronic conditions, and avoiding known triggers can reduce your risk.

Is reentry arrhythmia dangerous?

Some forms, like mild episodes of AVNRT, may not be life-threatening but can affect quality of life. Other types (such as ventricular tachycardia or AFib) can lead to severe complications like stroke, heart failure, or sudden cardiac arrest if untreated.

How successful is catheter ablation for reentry arrhythmias?

Catheter ablation is a very effective procedure for many types of reentry arrhythmias. For example, radiofrequency ablation can cure about 97% of AVRT cases. However, more than one procedure may sometimes be necessary.

What lifestyle changes can help manage reentry arrhythmia?

Adopting a heart-healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, limiting alcohol, and treating conditions such as sleep apnea can all help reduce the risk and impact of reentry arrhythmias.

References

Healthline Media. “Reentry Arrhythmias: Types, Symptoms, Causes, and More.” (2023)
Healthline Media. “Recurrent Arrhythmia: Types, Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and More.” (2023)
Revista Española de Cardiología. “Mechanisms of Cardiac Arrhythmias.” (2011)

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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