For patients with pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators to control potentially dangerous heart arrhythmias, stepping through airport security could cause anxiety. That's because they weren't sure if it would be safe for them.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials are contemplating a proposal to lower the risk classification of external pacemakers from the highest risk category to labeling them a moderate risk.

There may be a lot of discussion about activating implantable defibrillators that aid patients with life-threatening heart arrhythmias. But there is still little talk about deactivating them in the terminally ill.

Heart arrhythmias can be life-threatening, though for some patients they're just a low-risk nuisance. A new set of criteria can help determine which patients are at risk for sudden death and would benefit from an implanted defibrillator.

For patients with atrial fibrillation, a common heart arrhythmia, the most serious risk is their heightened susceptibility to stroke. But half of patients are unaware of the risk or choose to ignore it.

In a what came as a surprise move to many, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committee today voted to recommend heart arrhythmia drug rivaroxiban (Xarelto) for approval.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration reviewers have warned against immediate approval of rivaroxaban (Xarelto) and questioned effectiveness of the medication for preventing stroke in high-risk atrial fibrillation patients.

Testing new drugs is no easy task. Animal testing may show successful results that aren't replicated in humans, and having drug trials in individuals could result in undesirable side effects.

Atrial fibrillation, a common heart arrhythmia, is generally treated with a standard drug warfarin. However, a study suggests a new drug might provide the same treatment, but with a lower risk of stroke and embolism.

With obesity comes the added risk of health problems. One potential risk may be electrical heart abnormalities that can lead to heart arrhythmia.