Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is a type of cardiac arrhythmia, a condition of the electrical conduction system of the heart.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia, affecting more than 2.2 million Americans. It is responsible for more than 75,000 strokes annually in the U.S., and doubles a person’s risk of death.
During atrial fibrillation, the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat in a chaotic, irregular manner at more than 300 beats per minute without coordination to the lower chambers (the ventricles). When the atria beat at this rate, they fail to pump blood adequately and simply quiver. This results in poor blood flow through the heart and increases the risk of blood clot formation within the heart, thereby increasing the risk of stroke.
Symptoms and Risks
The most common symptoms are:
- Palpitations
- Rapid or racing heart beat
- Feeling as though your heart is beating irregularly
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
Risk factors for developing atrial fibrillation include:
- Age
- High blood pressure
- Congestive heart failure
- Diabetes mellitus
- Thyroid problems
- Family history of atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation may be chronic or intermittent. If the arrhythmia is chronic, it may be easily diagnosed with an EKG when you visit your physician. If the arrhythmia is intermittent or irregular, other heart monitoring tests may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Medications are commonly prescribed to control the rate and rhythm of the arrhythmia. A minimally invasive procedure called an ablation is also available for those who suffer from atrial fibrillation. Ablation therapy is highly effective and may assist in the control or cure of your arrhythmia.
If you have any of the symptoms or risk factors above, talk to your physician. He or she may refer you to an electrophysiologist. The University of Florida electrophysiologists at the Shands Jacksonville Cardiovascular Center are heart rhythm specialists who treat patients with atrial fibrillation.
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