What is Atrial Fibrillation?
The heart is a muscle divided into four chambers: two atria at
the top,
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from the sino-atrial node in the right atrium cause the
sequential contraction of atria then ventricles in order to
squeeze blood through the heart and out to the body. This is
known as sinus rhythm. In Atrial Fibrillation (AF), faulty
signals are generated from other areas in the heart, causing
rapid, inefficient 'quivering' contractions of the atria at a
rate of 300-600 beats per minute. These fibrillating
contractions do not cause the ventricles to contract at the same
rate, but the ventricles do pick up on more impulses than
normal, causing an increased rate of contraction in order to try
to pump blood to the body. This leads to a high heart rate –
sometimes up to 180-200 beats per minute. A rate this high leads
to inefficient emptying of the blood through the heart, causing
it to pool in the chambers and increasing the risk of stroke.
With a lower volume of blood circulating around the body,
patients can feel lethargic, breathless and dizzy.
Signs and Symptoms
Atrial
Fibrillation can be acute and life-threatening,
ED hardy sunglasses cheap, paroxysmal
(intermittent), or chronic, and its symptoms can range in
severity from mild lethargy to stroke. Recent studies in the US
have estimated a rate of 70,000 strokes per year as a result of
AF. There are no known causes for Atrial Fibrillation, but
incidence tends to increase with age, and affects more men than
women. Symptoms can often go unnoticed,
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only diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation when under investigation
for some other medical reason; conversely, some patients are
acutely aware of changes in their heart rhythm. Symptoms can
include:
? Rapid, weak pulse ? Shortness of breath ? Dizziness ? Fainting
? Feeling of an uncomfortable, 'flopping' heartbeat (this
results from ? Chest pain ? Fatigue
Treatment
Treatment focuses on two main areas:
? Restoring normal rhythm either by using particular drugs, or
through a process called cardioversion, where an electrical
impulse is shocked through the heart in order to override the
fibrillation of the atria and restore normal rhythm. ? Reduction
and control of rate by use of specific medications such as
digoxin, beta blockers and calcium antagonists.
If these methods do not work, doctors may consider inserting a
mechanical pacemaker to regulate rhythm.
About the author:
John Smith: Visit
http://www.healthcaredir.com/atrial-fibrillation/ for news about
Atrial
Fibrillation.