Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) is an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm. An irregular heart rhythm is called an arrhythmia. A-Fib can lead to blood clots in the heart. The condition also increases the risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.

During atrial fibrillation, the heart’s upper chambers — called the atria — beat chaotically and irregularly. They beat out of sync with the lower heart chambers, called the ventricles. For many people, A-Fib may have no symptoms. But AFib may cause a fast, pounding heartbeat, shortness of breath or light-headedness.

Episodes of atrial fibrillation may come and go, or they may be persistent. A-Fib itself usually isn’t life-threatening. But it’s a serious medical condition that needs proper treatment to prevent stroke.

Treatment for atrial fibrillation may include medicines, therapy to shock the heart back to a regular rhythm and procedures to block faulty heart signals.

A person with atrial fibrillation also may have a related heart rhythm problem called atrial flutter. The treatments for A-Fib and atrial flutter are similar.