What is Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation is a disturbance in the rhythm of the heart. It is an irregular and/or rapid heartbeat that is caused when the atria contract in an uncoordinated way. Atrial fibrillation interferes with the heart’s usual pumping. Because the heart is not pumping blood as it should, blood pressure may drop.
How Does It Occur?
An electrical impulse in the heart tells heart muscles cells to squeeze. Normally, this impulse begins in the right atrium of the heart and then moves along a tissue pathway to the lower chambers or ventricles of the heart. This happens in a coordinated fashion.
With atrial fibrillation, the usual sequence of events is disturbed. The normal coordination of contraction of the heart chambers does not occur. The loss of coordination sometimes effects the ability of the heart to pump blood. This can also cause an increased heart rate.
Common Causes of Atrial Fibrillation:
- Heart Disease – including coronary artery disease, heart enlargement due to many years of high blood pressure and heart failure from other causes.
- Damage to the Mitral Valve
- Overactive Thyroid Gland
- Pneumonia
- Chronic Lung Disease
- Heavy Alcohol Consumption
- Medications such as theophylline
Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation:
- Irregular Heartbeat or Pulse
- Fast Heart Rate
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Heart Palpitations or Racing of the Heart
- Weakness
- Shortness of Breath
- Chest Pain
How Is It Diagnosed?
Diagnosis of atrial fibrillation can be confirmed with an electrocardiogram (ECG). An ECG measures the electrical activity of your heart. Your physician will also review your medical history, conduct a physical examination and prescribe blood tests to look for a treatable cause for the irregular heartbeat.
What Are The Treatment Options?
Treatment options depend on the cause of the atrial fibrillation, but may involve medications to control the heart rate and anticoagulants (blood thinners like Coumadin®) that decreases the chance of a stroke with the irregular rhythm. Some patients can be cured of atrial fibrillation through a procedure called ablation. Please contact your cardiologist to see if this procedure is for you or call Lancaster General Heart Center at 717-544-5035.