Both heart diseases have the potential of becoming serious. However, many doctors and other health care professionals consider atrial flutter to be less serious than atrial fibrillation because flutter symptoms tend to be less severe and flutter waves have a less risk of embolization (clot formation).
Read moreHow serious is atrial flutter?
Although atrial flutter is usually not life-threatening at first , it does limit how well your heart pumps blood. This can cause a clot to form in your heart. If the clot breaks loose, it could lead to a stroke. Over time, atrial flutter can weaken your heart muscle.
Read moreCan atrial flutter go untreated?
Although most often not immediately life-threatening, complications of atrial flutter can be serious if left untreated .
Read moreCan a person live with atrial flutter?
Most patients with atrial flutter lead an entirely normal life with modern drugs and treatments .
Read moreCan you go in and out of atrial flutter?
Are There Types of Atrial Flutter? Paroxysmal atrial flutter can come and go . An episode of atrial flutter usually lasts hours or days. Persistent atrial flutter is more or less permanent.
Read moreShould atrial flutter be treated?
How is atrial flutter treated? Treatments can help you feel better and prevent future problems, especially stroke and heart failure . The main types of treatment slow the heart rate and help prevent stroke. Your treatment will depend on the cause of your atrial flutter, your symptoms, and your risk for stroke.
Read moreWhat causes atrial flutter?
Atrial flutter is a type of abnormal heart rhythm, or arrhythmia. It occurs when a short circuit in the heart causes the upper chambers (atria) to pump very rapidly . Atrial flutter is important not only because of its symptoms but because it can cause a stroke that may result in permanent disability or death.
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