Which of the following is the most common arrhythmia?

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia seen in clinical practice. This condition is characterized by an irregular and often rapid heartbeat that can lead to various complications, including stroke and heart failure. It typically arises from chaotic electrical signals in the atria, which results in inadequate blood flow and can exacerbate other cardiac conditions.

Atrial fibrillation is prevalent, especially among older adults and individuals with pre-existing heart disease, hypertension, or other risk factors. Its widespread occurrence is further highlighted by its recognition in numerous population studies that find a significant percentage of patients undergoing cardiac evaluations to have this arrhythmia.

In contrast, other arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia or supraventricular tachycardia, while clinically significant, are not as commonly diagnosed in the general population. Bradycardia, defined as an unusually slow heart rate, is less prevalent and is typically identified in specific scenarios such as in athletes or in the presence of certain medical conditions, making atrial fibrillation the most common arrhythmia encountered.