Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Jump to navigation Jump to search

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

WikiDoc Resources for Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Articles

Most recent articles on Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Most cited articles on Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Review articles on Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Articles on Atrial fibrillation (patient information) in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Images of Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Photos of Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Podcasts & MP3s on Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Videos on Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Bandolier on Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

TRIP on Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Atrial fibrillation (patient information) at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Clinical Trials on Atrial fibrillation (patient information) at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

NICE Guidance on Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

CDC on Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Books

Books on Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

News

Atrial fibrillation (patient information) in the news

Be alerted to news on Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

News trends on Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Commentary

Blogs on Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Definitions

Definitions of Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Discussion groups on Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Patient Handouts on Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Directions to Hospitals Treating Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Risk calculators and risk factors for Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Causes & Risk Factors for Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Diagnostic studies for Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Treatment of Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

International

Atrial fibrillation (patient information) en Espanol

Atrial fibrillation (patient information) en Francais

Business

Atrial fibrillation (patient information) in the Marketplace

Patents on Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Atrial fibrillation (patient information)

Editor-in-Chief: Prashant Sharma

Please Join in Editing This Page and Apply to be an Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [1] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.

What is Atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation/flutter is a heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia). It usually involves a rapid heart rate, in which the upper heart chambers (atria) are stimulated to contract in a very disorganized and abnormal manner.

What are the symptoms of Atrial fibrillation?

You may not be aware that your heart is not beating in a normal pattern, especially if it has been occurring for some time.

Symptoms may include:

  • Pulse that feels rapid, racing, pounding, fluttering, or too slow
  • Pulse that feels regular or irregular
  • Sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations)
  • Shortness of breath while lying down
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness, light-headedness
  • Fainting
  • Fatigue

Note: Symptoms may begin or stop suddenly.

What causes Atrial fibrillation?

Arrhythmias are caused by a disruption of the normal electrical conduction system of the heart.

Normally, the four chambers of the heart (two atria and two ventricles) contract in a very specific, coordinated way. The electrial impulse that signals your heart to contract in a synchronized way begins in the sinoatrial node (SA node). This node is your heart's natural pacemaker.

The signal leaves the SA node and travels through the two upper chambers (atria). Then the signal passes through another node (the AV node), and finally, through the lower chambers (ventricles). This path enables the chambers to contract in a coordinated fashion.

In atrial fibrillation, the atria are stimulated to contract very quickly and differently from the normal pattern. The impulses are sent to the ventricles in an irregular pattern. This makes the ventricles beat abnormally, leading to an irregular (and usually fast) pulse.

In atrial flutter, the ventricles may beat very fast, but in a regular pattern.

If the atrial fibrillation/flutter is part of a condition called sick sinus syndrome, the sinus node may not work properly. The heart rate may alternate between slow and fast. As a result, there may not be enough blood to meet the needs of the body.

Atrial fibrillation can affect both men and women. It becomes more common with increasing age.

Causes of atrial fibrillation include:



When to seek urgent medical care

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of atrial fibrillation or flutter

Treatment options

The health care provider may may perform the following tests for this condition: An ECG shows atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Continuous ambulatory cardiac monitoring -- Holter monitor (24 hour test) -- may be necessary because the condition often occurs at some times but not others (sporadic).

Tests to find underlying heart diseases may include:

Where to find medical care for Atrial fibrillation

Directions to Hospitals Treating Atrial fibrillation

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)

Possible complications

Sources

Template:SIB Template:WH Template:WS