Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Disease
Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Disease
The heart has four areas, or chambers. During each heartbeat, the two upper chambers (atria) contract, followed by the two lower chambers (ventricles). This is directed by the heart's electrical system.
The electrical impulse begins in an area called the sinus node, located in the right atrium. When the sinus node fires, an impulse of electrical activity spreads through the right and left atria, causing them to contract, forcing blood into the ventricles.
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Then the electrical impulses travel in an orderly fashion to areas called the atrioventricular (AV) node and HIS-Purkinje network. The AV node is the electrical bridge that allows the impulse to go from the atria to the ventricles. The HIS-Purkinje network carries the impulses throughout the ventricles. The impulse then travels through the walls of the ventricles, causing them to contract. This forces blood out of the heart to the lungs and the body. The pulmonary veins empty oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium. A normal heart beats in a constant rhythm -- about 60 to 100 times per minute at rest.
Atrial fibrillation (also referred to as AF or AFib) is the most common type of irregular heartbeat. It is found in about 2.2 million Americans. Its frequency increases with age. If you have AF, the electrical impulse does not travel in an orderly fashion through the atria. Instead, many impulses begin simultaneously and spread through the atria and compete for a chance to travel through the AV node.
The firing of these impulses results in a very rapid and disorganized heartbeat. The rate of impulses through the atria can range from 300 to 600 beats per minute. Luckily, the AV node limits the number of impulses it allows to travel to the ventricles. As a result, the pulse rate is often less than 150 beats per minute, but this is often fast enough to cause symptoms.
You may have atrial fibrillation without having any symptoms at all. If you have symptoms, they may include:
Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Disease
In this article
- What Is a Normal Heart Rhythm?
- What Is Atrial Fibrillation?
- What Are the Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation?
- What Causes Atrial Fibrillation?
- Less Common Causes of Atrial Fibrillation
- Why Is Atrial Fibrillation Dangerous?
- How Is Atrial Fibrillation Diagnosed?
- How Is Atrial Fibrillation Treated?
- How Are Medications Used to Treat Atrial Fibrillation?
- Lifestyle Changes for Atrial Fibrillation
- Procedures for Atrial Fibrillation
- What Is Electrical Cardioversion?
- What Is Ablation Therapy?
- What Is a Permanent Pacemaker?
- What Surgeries Are Performed?
What Is a Normal Heart Rhythm?
The heart has four areas, or chambers. During each heartbeat, the two upper chambers (atria) contract, followed by the two lower chambers (ventricles). This is directed by the heart's electrical system.
The electrical impulse begins in an area called the sinus node, located in the right atrium. When the sinus node fires, an impulse of electrical activity spreads through the right and left atria, causing them to contract, forcing blood into the ventricles.
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Not too long ago, if your doctor said you needed a blood thinner to prevent a stroke, you didn't have to think too hard about it. Warfarin (Coumadin) was the only way to go. But not anymore. With four other medications to pick from, you'll have to do a little homework to figure out what's best for you."It's not a one-size-fits-all choice," says Bruce Lindsay, MD, from Cleveland Clinic. A lot depends on your overall health and your lifestyle.
Read the How Do New Blood Thinners Compare to Warfarin? article > >
Then the electrical impulses travel in an orderly fashion to areas called the atrioventricular (AV) node and HIS-Purkinje network. The AV node is the electrical bridge that allows the impulse to go from the atria to the ventricles. The HIS-Purkinje network carries the impulses throughout the ventricles. The impulse then travels through the walls of the ventricles, causing them to contract. This forces blood out of the heart to the lungs and the body. The pulmonary veins empty oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium. A normal heart beats in a constant rhythm -- about 60 to 100 times per minute at rest.
What Is Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation (also referred to as AF or AFib) is the most common type of irregular heartbeat. It is found in about 2.2 million Americans. Its frequency increases with age. If you have AF, the electrical impulse does not travel in an orderly fashion through the atria. Instead, many impulses begin simultaneously and spread through the atria and compete for a chance to travel through the AV node.
The firing of these impulses results in a very rapid and disorganized heartbeat. The rate of impulses through the atria can range from 300 to 600 beats per minute. Luckily, the AV node limits the number of impulses it allows to travel to the ventricles. As a result, the pulse rate is often less than 150 beats per minute, but this is often fast enough to cause symptoms.
What Are the Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation?
You may have atrial fibrillation without having any symptoms at all. If you have symptoms, they may include:
- Heart palpitations (a sudden pounding, fluttering, or racing feeling in the chest)
- Fatigue or lack of energy
- Dizziness (feeling faint or light-headed)
- Chest discomfort (pain, pressure, or tightness in the chest)
- Shortness of breath (difficulty breathing during normal activities or even at rest)
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