Atrial fibrillation is caused by what?

Written by Tang Li

Cardiology

Updated on September 02, 2024

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Atrial fibrillation can occur in healthy individuals, sometimes triggered by emotional excitement, surgery, exercise, or excessive drinking. It often occurs in patients with existing cardiovascular diseases, such as rheumatic heart disease, coronary artery disease, hypertensive heart disease, hyperthyroidism, constrictive pericarditis, myocarditis, infective endocarditis, and chronic pulmonary heart disease. Atrial fibrillation can also occur in middle-aged and young adults without cardiac diseases, known as lone atrial fibrillation.

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Written by Chen Tian Hua

Cardiology

1min 16sec

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What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?

The most common symptoms of atrial fibrillation episodes are chest tightness, palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue. When atrial fibrillation causes a significant decrease in cardiac output, it can also lead to insufficient cerebral blood supply, causing symptoms such as dizziness and blackouts. Occasionally, it may also cause fainting in patients. When coronary artery blood supply is insufficient, it can also trigger angina attacks. Moreover, if atrial fibrillation leads to heart failure, it can cause significant respiratory difficulty. Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia clinically. The treatment of atrial fibrillation should be based on the specific situation, choosing either cardioversion or controlling the ventricular rate. Cardioversion can be achieved through medication or radiofrequency ablation surgery, while controlling the ventricular rate can be managed with β-blockers, amiodarone, digoxin, and other drugs. In treating atrial fibrillation with ventricular rate control, patients need to take anticoagulants long-term to prevent the occurrence of peripheral arterial embolism. (Please follow medical advice regarding medications.)

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Written by Li Hai Wen

Cardiology

51sec

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Atrial fibrillation symptoms

Atrial fibrillation is a common type of arrhythmia we encounter in our daily lives. So, what symptoms generally accompany atrial fibrillation? These symptoms are often characterized by sudden onset and cessation of palpitations, or chest tightness. During palpitations or chest tightness, dizziness often accompanies, and some patients may experience chest pain. If you exhibit these symptoms, don't panic. You can visit the cardiology outpatient department at a hospital. There, a doctor can perform an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor test to see if you have atrial fibrillation. Blood tests can also be done to check if hyperthyroidism, a potential cause of atrial fibrillation, is present. Based on these examinations, follow the doctor's guidance and take medications as prescribed for treatment.

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Written by Li Hai Wen

Cardiology

1min 1sec

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Is atrial fibrillation without symptoms dangerous?

Atrial fibrillation without symptoms is still dangerous. Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmic disease among the elderly and can cause the following issues: First, it can induce heart failure. Atrial fibrillation is a common cause of acute heart failure, especially in the elderly, who may suffer from acute heart failure due to an episode of atrial fibrillation, particularly those with structural heart disease, making them more prone to developing heart failure. Second, it can lead to thromboembolic complications. Atrial fibrillation is a common cause of thromboembolic complications. These complications are unrelated to whether the atrial fibrillation is symptomatic or not. When atrial fibrillation persists, it significantly increases the chances of forming atrial thrombi. If a thrombus dislodges, it can lead to the occurrence of thromboembolic events, such as a stroke.

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Written by Li Hai Wen

Cardiology

47sec

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Can atrial fibrillation cause chest pain?

During an episode of atrial fibrillation, it is possible for symptoms such as chest pain to occur. Common symptoms of atrial fibrillation include palpitations, chest tightness, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. However, during a flare-up of atrial fibrillation, if the heart rate significantly increases, it can lead to chest pain symptoms. This is because when atrial fibrillation occurs and the heart rate significantly increases, it results in a marked shortening of the ventricular diastolic filling period. This reduces the blood volume during the diastolic filling period, further affecting the heart's pumping during the systole, leading to myocardial ischemia and causing symptoms similar to those of angina pectoris.

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Written by Cui Bo

Cardiology

1min 2sec

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Is atrial fibrillation the same as atrial flutter?

Atrial fibrillation, commonly abbreviated as AF, is a simple way to express atrial fibrillation, which is fundamentally pathological. Normal heart rhythm is sinus rhythm. Therefore, once atrial fibrillation occurs, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly rather than ignoring it. All patients with atrial fibrillation are scored to determine if they require anticoagulation therapy. Since atrial fibrillation is a trembling of the atrium and results in a completely irregular heartbeat, it can easily lead to the formation of blood clots in the left atrial appendage. Hence, if one discovers their heartbeat is very irregular, utterly irregular, immediate medical attention is necessary. An electrocardiogram can confirm the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, but it is essential to seek the underlying cause of the condition and manage both the ventricular rate in atrial fibrillation and the anticoagulation therapy.