Essential Facts about Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat that often increases the risk of getting a heart attack or stroke. During atrial fibrillation, the two upper chambers in a heartbeat are irregularly and chaotically, out of coordination with the heart's ventricles. Upper East Side atrial fibrillation patients experience advanced cardiology training to survive heart failure.

Causes of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation occurs when the heart's upper chambers get chaotic electrical signals. This results in an irregular and fast heart rhythm. In atrial fibrillation, the heartbeat ranges from 100 to 175 beats a minute. A normal heartbeat ranges from 60 to 100 beats a minute.

The heart comprises four chambers, two lower chambers (ventricles) and two upper chambers (atria). In the right atrium, there is a group of cells known as the sinus node. They are the heart's pacemakers. The sinus node produces a signal which starts each heartbeat.

Generally, the signal travels in the upper heart chambers and passes through a pathway between the lower and upper chambers known as the atrioventricular node. The signal movement makes the heart contract, sending blood to the body and heart.

In atrial fibrillation, signals in the upper chambers are chaotic, and they quiver. The electrical connection between the ventricles and the atria is blasted with impulses trying to get to the ventricles. Ventricles also beat rapidly, but not more than the atria, not all the impulses get through.

Symptoms of atrial fibrillation

Heart rates can sometimes be fast and irregular in atrial fibrillation. In some cases, it's higher tha 100 beats per minute. This causes problems like shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, lightheadedness, and tiredness. You can notice heart palpitations when your heart feels like fluttering, beating irregularly, or pounding, usually for a few seconds.

Heart murmurs caused by blood flowing in the healthy valves in the heart do not need treatment. But they do if they are caused by blood flowing in overworked or damaged heart valves.

Sometimes atrial fibrillation does not cause symptoms, and a person who gets it is unaware that his heart rate is irregular.

Complications

Stroke. The chaotic rhythm in atrial fibrillation might cause blood to pool in the atria and form clots. If blood clots, it could dislocate from your heart to the brain. In the brain, it can block the bold flow, causing a stroke.

You are at higher risk of getting a stroke in atrial fibrillation as you age. If you have diabetes, heart failure, a history of a previous stroke, you can also get a stroke in atrial fibrillation. Like blood thinners, some medications can lower the risk of damage to the other organs or stroke caused by blood clots.

Heart failure. When atrial fibrillation is not controlled, it may weaken the heart and cause heart failure, a condition where the heart cannot circulate enough blood to satisfy the body's needs.

If you get palpitations or other signs of atrial fibrillation, do not hesitate to see an expert. Experts at Upper East Side Cardiology provide compassionate treatment to their patients. If you experience the above symptoms, don't hesitate to contact them or book an appointment online.