AF Flashcards
Atrial Fibrillation definition
Your heart is controlled by a conduction system which sends out electrical signals. This causes a heartbeat. Atrial fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia, which is a problem in the conduction system that can make your heart beat too slowly, too quickly and in an irregular way.
Atrial fibrillation happens when the electrical signals in the top chambers (atria) of your heart do not get sent out properly. They should be steady and regular, but instead they quiver or twitch (fibrillation). This causes your heart to beat randomly, which means it does not pump blood as well as it should.
Paroxysmal AF
This is when the symptoms start and end without treatment.
Persistent AF
This is when the symptoms last for longer than seven days (or when it’s treated).
Permanent AF
This is when you always feel the symptoms and are usually getting treatment.
Long Standing AF
This is when you’ve had the symptoms usually for over one year.
Symptoms
- Palpitations
- Chest pain
- Finding it harder to exercise
- Tiredness
- SOB
- Dizziness
Difference between between AF and atrial flutter
Atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation are both abnormal heart rhythms. They occur when there is an issue with the electrical signals and pathways in your heart, which usually help it beat in an organised, effective way.
Normally, the top chambers (atria) contract and push blood into the bottom chambers (ventricles). In atrial fibrillation, the atria beat irregularly. In atrial flutter, the atria beat regularly, but faster than usual and more often than the ventricles, so you may have four atrial beats to every one ventricular beat.
Causes of AF
high blood pressure
heart valve disease
congenital heart disease
pericarditis
cardiomyopathy
coronary heart disease
diabetes
living with obesity
having had surgery on your heart
stress
sick sinus syndrome.
