Covenant Family Practice - Atrial Fibrillation

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Atrial Fibrillation

Written by Robert A Wilson

Friday, 16 February 2007

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Atrial Fibrillation
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Atrial fibrillation is an irregular beating of the heart that starts in the atria (the upper two chambers of the heart) and travels to the ventricles (the lower two chambers of the heart). This irregular rhythm is typically fast, but may be normal or slow. The causes of atrial fibrillation include reactions to medications, high blood pressure, heart attack, hyperthyroidism, coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, and heart failure. The longer the irregular rhythm is allowed to go on and not treated, the more difficult it is to correct. A person may not even know that he has an irregular heart beat until a doctor diagnoses it. Atrial fibrillation can be serious since it decreases efficient filling of the heart with blood. Blood clot formation is possible which increases the risk of stroke.

Symptoms may include:

There may be no symptoms
Weakness, dizziness
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Chest pain with increased activity
Feeling of irregular or fast heartbeat or pulse

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