Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most commonly encountered arrhythmia in clinical practice, is defined by the absence of coordinated atrial systole. AF results from multiple reentrant electrical wavelets that move randomly around the atria.
P waves are replaced by irregular, chaotic fibrillatory waves, often with a concomitant irregular ventricular tachycardia. The rate at which the atrial electrical impulses are transmitted to the ventricle is determined by a number of factors including relative refractory period within the atrioventricular (AV) node, hydration status, and presence or absence of pharmacologic agents used to control the rate. When ventricular rate increases to tachycardic levels, a situation of atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response (AF with RVR) ensues. This in turn can lead to decompensation in the form of either myocardial ischemia or creation of congestive heart failure (CHF).
Atrial fibrillation is a disorder found in about 2.2 million Americans. During atrial fibrillation, the heart's two small upper chambers (the atria) quiver instead of beating effectively. Blood isn't pumped completely out of them, so it may pool and clot. If a piece of a blood clot in the atria leaves the heart and becomes lodged in an artery in the brain, a stroke results. About 15 percent of strokes occur in people with atrial fibrillation.
The likelihood of developing atrial fibrillation increases with age. Three to five percent of people over 65 have atrial fibrillation.
What causes atrial fibrillation?
The heart has four chambers. The upper two chambers are the atria, and the lower two chambers are the ventricles. Blood returning to the heart from the body in the superior and inferior vena cava contains low levels of oxygen and high levels of carbon dioxide. This blood flows into the right atrium and then into the adjacent right ventricle. After the ventricle fills, contraction of the right atrium pumps additional blood into the right ventricle. The right ventricle then contracts and pumps the blood to the lungs where the blood takes up oxygen and gives off carbon dioxide. The blood then flows from the lungs to the left atrium and into the adjacent left ventricle.
Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms
Symptoms of atrial fibrillation vary from person to person.
· A number of people have no symptoms.
· The most common symptom in people with intermittent atrial fibrillation is palpitations, a sensation of rapid or irregular heartbeat. This may make some people very anxious. Many people also describe an irregular fluttering sensation in their chests.
· Some become light-headed or faint.
· Other symptoms include weakness, lack of energy or shortness of breath with effort, and chest pain.
Treatments and drugs
Treatments for atrial fibrillation include medications and procedures that attempt to either reset the heart rhythm back to normal or control the heart rate so that the heart doesn't beat dangerously fast, though it may still beat irregularly. Treatments also include blood thinners to prevent blood clots.
The treatment option best for you will depend on how long you've had atrial fibrillation, how bothersome your symptoms are and the underlying cause of your atrial fibrillation.
Read About Arthritis pain relief Also read about Arthritis Supplements and Arthritis Treatment
Natural supplements Herbal Remedies
