Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common heart arrhythmia that results from the two upper chambers of the heart (atria) beat rapidly and unpredictably, producing an irregular heartbeat. Untreated atrial fibrillation puts patients at increased risk for stroke and heart failure.

The most common symptom of AF is a quivering or fluttering heartbeat. Other symptoms include palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness/light headedness, and fatigue, among others. Some people may have AF but present with no symptoms.

Atrial fibrillation results from rapid and disorganized travel of cardiac electrical signals through the heart. Damage to the heart's electrical system usually occurs from conditions that affect heart health, most commonly high blood pressure and coronary artery disease. AF is more common in men compared to other races and women. Risks also increase with advancing age.

Treatment for atrial fibrillation aims to prevent the formation of blood clots and control heart rate and rhythm. Blood clots are prevented by blood thinning medications such as warfarin (Coumadin), dabigatran, heparin, or aspirin. Rate control may be accomplished through beta blockers such as metoprolol and atenolol, calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem and verapamil, and digitalis (digoxin). Rhythm control treatment usually occurs in a hospital setting, so patients can be closely monitored. Medications include amiodarone, sotalol, flecainide, propafenone, dofetilide, and ibutilide. Electrical cardioversion and catheter ablation are electrical and surgical procedures, respectively, that can restore regular rate and rhythm.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs if the heart's electrical signals travel through the heart in an abnormal way. Instead, the electrical signals are rapid and disorganized.

Damage to the heart's electrical system causes AF. The damage is usually caused by other conditions that affect the health of the heart, such as high blood pressure and coronary heart disease.

Risk factors:

Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects millions of people, and the number is rising.

• Gender. Men are more likely than women to have the condition. 
• Race. In the United States, AF is more common among Whites than African Americans or Hispanic Americans.
• Age. The risk of AF increases as you age. This is mostly because your risk for heart disease and other conditions that can cause AF also increases as you age. In addition, inflammation also is thought to play a role in causing AF. About half of the people who have AF are younger than 75. (AF is uncommon in children)

However, sometimes, the cause of AF is unknown.

Risk Factors:

• High blood pressure
• Coronary heart disease (CHD)/ Underlying heart disease
• Post heart surgery
• Heart failure
• Drinking alcohol
• Family history
• Other chronic conditions such as thyroid problems, diabetes, and asthma
• Rheumatic heart disease
• Structural heart defects, such as mitral valve prolapse
• Pericarditis- a condition in which the membrane, or sac, around your heart is inflamed)
• Congenital heart defects
• Sick sinus syndrome (a condition in which the heart's electrical signals do not fire properly and the heart rate slows down; sometimes the heart will switch back and forth between a slow rate and a fast rate)
• Have just had surgery
• Sleep apnea
• Athletes 

See your doctor if you feel a fluttering or irregular heartbeat, palpitations, or unusual fatigue. Call 911 for chest pain, fainting, severe shortness of breath, or sudden weakness or trouble speaking, which can signal a stroke.