AF
Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AF or A-fib) is a common type of cardiac arrhythmia characterized by an irregular and often rapid heart rate. It occurs when the two upper chambers of the heart (the atria) experience chaotic electrical signals. This results in an irregular and often rapid heartbeat that can lead to poor blood flow and various complications.
Signs and Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The symptoms of atrial fibrillation can vary widely. Some individuals may be asymptomatic, while others may experience:
- Palpitations (sensations of a racing, uncomfortable, irregular heartbeat or a flip-flopping in the chest)
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
Causes[edit | edit source]
Atrial fibrillation can be caused by various factors, including:
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack
- Coronary artery disease
- Abnormal heart valves
- Congenital heart defects
- Overactive thyroid or other metabolic imbalances
- Exposure to stimulants, such as medications, caffeine, tobacco, or alcohol
- Sick sinus syndrome — improper functioning of the heart's natural pacemaker
- Lung diseases
- Previous heart surgery
- Viral infections
- Sleep apnea
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of atrial fibrillation typically involves:
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for atrial fibrillation may include:
- Medications to control heart rate and rhythm
- Blood thinners to prevent stroke
- Electrical cardioversion
- Catheter ablation
- Surgical procedures
Complications[edit | edit source]
Complications of atrial fibrillation can include:
Prevention[edit | edit source]
Preventive measures for atrial fibrillation include:
- Healthy lifestyle choices
- Regular physical activity
- Healthy diet
- Avoiding smoking
- Limiting alcohol and caffeine intake
- Managing stress
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Cardiovascular disease A-Z
Most common cardiac diseases
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Cardiogenetic disorders
- Cardiomegaly
- Cardiomyopathy
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- Chronic rheumatic heart diseases
- Congenital heart defects
- Heart neoplasia
- Ischemic heart diseases
- Pericardial disorders
- Syndromes affecting the heart
- Valvular heart disease
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A[edit source]
- Accelerated idioventricular rhythm
- Acute decompensated heart failure
- Arteriosclerotic heart disease
- Athletic heart syndrome
- Atrial flutter
- Atrioventricular fistula
- Cardiovascular disease in Australia
- Autoimmune heart disease
B[edit source]
C[edit source]
- Ebb Cade
- Cardiac allograft vasculopathy
- Cardiac amyloidosis
- Cardiac asthma
- Cardiac tamponade
- Cardiogenic shock
- Cardiogeriatrics
- Cardiorenal syndrome
- Cardiotoxicity
- Carditis
- Coronary artery aneurysm
- Coronary artery anomaly
- Coronary artery disease
- Spontaneous coronary artery dissection
- Coronary artery ectasia
- Coronary occlusion
- Coronary steal
- Coronary thrombosis
- Coronary vasospasm
- Cœur en sabot
- Coxsackievirus-induced cardiomyopathy
D[edit source]
E[edit source]
H[edit source]
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
- Heart to Heart (1949 film)
- High-output heart failure
- Hyperdynamic precordium
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
I[edit source]
- Idiopathic giant-cell myocarditis
- Interventricular dyssynchrony
- Intraventricular dyssynchrony
- Isolated atrial amyloidosis
K[edit source]
L[edit source]
M[edit source]
- Mydicar
- Myocardial bridge
- Myocardial disarray
- Myocardial rupture
- Myocardial scarring
- Myocardial stunning
- Myocarditis
N[edit source]
O[edit source]
P[edit source]
- Papillary fibroelastoma
- Pathophysiology of heart failure
- Postpericardiotomy syndrome
- Pulmonary vein stenosis
R[edit source]
S[edit source]
- Saturated fat and cardiovascular disease
- SCAR-Fc
- Shone's syndrome
- Strain pattern
- Subacute bacterial endocarditis
- Sudden cardiac death of athletes
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
T[edit source]
V[edit source]
W[edit source]
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
