Atrial fibrillation and flutter
Atrial fibrillation and flutter are conditions where the heart's upper chambers beat irregularly and too fast instead of in a steady, normal rhythm.
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Your heart has four chambers, and the two top ones are called the atria. In a healthy heart, these atria squeeze in a perfectly timed rhythm to push blood down into the lower chambers. With atrial fibrillation, electrical signals in the atria become chaotic, causing the chambers to quiver or twitch rapidly like a bag of worms instead of beating effectively.
Atrial flutter is similar but slightly more organized; the electrical signals travel in a fast, repeating loop around the atrium, causing it to beat very rapidly. Because the heart is not pumping efficiently in either case, blood can pool in the heart, which is why managing these conditions is so important for your long-term health.
Common Symptoms
- Feeling like your heart is racing, pounding, or fluttering in your chest.
- Shortness of breath, especially when you try to be active.
- Feeling unusually tired or weak throughout the day.
- Dizziness or feeling lightheaded.
- Chest pain or a feeling of pressure in the chest area.