Atrial Fibrillation
AF occurs when the electrical impulses in your heart’s upper two chambers (the atria) fire erratically, causing them to quiver or twitch (fibrillation).
If this occurs, you may experience an irregular and occasionally rapid heartbeat or pulse. Some individuals report feeling their heart fluttering or racing (known as palpitations).
Atrial fibrillation may come and go (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation), but it can also persist indefinitely. It is not life-threatening, but it is serious because it can cause blood clots in the heart, which can lead to a stroke.
Even when you’re not exercising, you may notice your heartbeat feels irregular and occasionally very fast.
Other AF symptoms may include:
- palpitations (feels like a racing, fluttering, flip flopping feeling in your chest) (feels like a racing, fluttering, flip flopping feeling in your chest)
- Pain in the chest,
- difficulty exercising,
- fatigue,
- shortness of breath,
- dizziness or feeling faint.
Occasionally, people with AF do not exhibit any symptoms, and the condition is discovered during an exam or routine checkup. This is common among the elderly.
With atrial flutter, the heart’s rhythm is less disorganized than with atrial fibrillation, and the condition may be less severe.
Atrial fibrillation is sometimes accompanied by atrial flutter. If this is the case, you may experience atrial fibrillation followed by atrial flutter. If you have atrial fibrillation, you are still at risk for additional heart conditions or a stroke, and you may still require treatment.
Causes of Atrial Fibrillation
Damage to the heart is the most common cause of atrial fibrillation, although its origin is not always understood.
This may occur due to:
- elevated blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease
- congenital heart condition
pericarditis\cardiomyopathy - Coronary heart disease
- diabetes
- heart surgery
- physical and mental stress
- sick sinus syndrome
- asbestos lung cancer
- pulmonary embolism
Many people will develop AF despite not having any pre-existing conditions or risk factors. When no cause can be identified, atrial fibrillation is termed lone
Diagnostics of Atrial Fibrillation
You should see a physician for a diagnosis, but you may be able to detect it by feeling your wrist pulse.
Resting heart rates are typically between 60 and 100 beats per minute and are consistent.
If you have atrial fibrillation, your pulse will be irregular and the beats may vary in intensity.
Some people experience intermittent AF.
This means that their pulse may feel normal at times and irregular at others.
If your primary care physician suspects you have atrial fibrillation (AF), they should refer you for additional testing, including:
- electrocardiogram (ECG),
- echocardiogram,
- chest x-ray
- blood tests.
Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
Your physician will find a treatment to regulate your heart’s rate and rhythm.
This may include:
- medication such as beta blockers
- anti-arrhythmic drugs
- ablation
- cardioversion
- having a pacemaker fitted.
