In people with atrial flutter, the pulse is usually rapid and can be regular or irregular . The reduced pumping ability of the heart may cause weakness, faintness, and shortness of breath.
Read moreWhat is the difference between atrial fibrillation and arrhythmia?
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a form of arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, in which the atria (the two small upper chambers of the heart) quiver instead of beating effectively . It is one of the most common forms of cardiac arrhythmia, affecting 0.4% of the general population and 5 to 10% of persons over 65 years of age.
Read moreWhat is meant by atrial fibrillation?
Listen to pronunciation. (AY-tree-ul fih-bruh-LAY-shun) An irregular heartbeat that occurs when the electrical signals in the atria (the two upper chambers of the heart) fire rapidly at the same time . This causes the heart to beat faster than normal.
Read moreWhat is the main cause of AFib?
The basic cause of AFib is disorganized signals that make your heart’s two upper chambers (the atria) squeeze very fast and out of sync . They contract so quickly that the heart walls quiver, or fibrillate. Damage to your heart’s electrical system can cause AFib.
Read moreWhat are the three different types of atrial fibrillation?
The three main types of atrial fibrillation (A-fib) are: paroxysmal, persistent, and long-term persistent . Doctors also categorize A-fib as either valvular or nonvalvular. In some people, A-fib causes no symptoms, and a doctor might only discover it when testing for something else.
Read moreWhen should I be concerned about 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.
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