Things you need to know about Atrial fibrillation
The heart is made up of four chambers, two upper “atria” and the two lower “ventricles”. The heart beats in a rhythmic pattern due to triggering of electrical impulses generated in a bunch of nerve cells called sinoartial (SA) node located in the atrium. These impulses travel to the atrioventricular (AV) node located in the ventricle. An irregular and frequently rapid heart rate is called atrial fibrillation. It occurs due to chaotic electrical signals in the atria, so they quiver. Thus impulses are bombarded to the ventricles and they also may start to beat rapidly, a sign that differentiates atrial fibrillation from flutter. As a result, the heart rhythm becomes fast and irregular. In atrial fibrillation, the heart beat may range from 100 to 175 beats a minute as compared to the normal 60 to 100 beats a minute.
Atrial fibrillation at times may not have any symptoms but sometimes the following may be observed:
Such symptoms with chest pain should be immediately reported in hospital emergency.
Depending on the frequency of the symptoms, it can be:
Atrial fibrillation occurs most commonly due to abnormalities or damage within the structure of heart. Some common causes of atrial fibrillation are:
Atrial flutter is a condition that is similar to atrial fibrillation, but with a more synchronized rhythm. It is an abnormal or chaotic atrial contraction without involvement of ventricles.
Atrial fibrillation and flutter have same causes and risk factor. However, atrial flutter is usually not life-threatening if promptly treated.
Some of the common symptoms of atrial flutter are:
Like, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter is caused due to similar triggers. However, abnormal rhythm of heart is presented differently. Atrial flutter occurs from disturbed electrical impulses at right atrium. Thus, the atria beat at a faster rate 250 – 300 beats per minute. These rapid contraction impulses slow down by the time they reach ventricles through AV node. Ventricles beat at 150 beats per minute, relatively slower than atria. This causes flutter or tremor, as felt by the patient.
Atrial fibrillation and flutter belong to a larger group of conditions called Supra Ventricular Tachycardia. They may present as alternate episodes in some patients.
If you experience any symptom of atrial fibrillation or flutter, you must seek immediate medical attention at a hospital. Check for the availability of a cardiologist and related infrastructure like catheterization lab, ICCU (intensive cardiac care unit), and tests etc. The cardiologist will be able to diagnose it by:
Treatment of atrial fibrillation is governed by frequency and type of fibrillation with underlying causes.
Cardioversion-resetting the heart’s rhythm can be conducted in two ways:
Catheter and surgical procedures
Sometimes invasive procedures may be resorted to when the conservative approach doesn’t work.
Although the time of recovery may vary from person, but generally 6-8 weeks may be required for observation.
Atrial flutter ablation complications:
Lifestyle changes that improve the overall health of the heart can help like:
To know more about atrial fibrillation, you can request for a call back and our atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter specialist will call you and answer all your queries
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