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How can you tell if your heart is out of rhythm as in atrial fibrilation?
Sometimes an individual can feel their heart is not beating properly - they may feel faint or have an odd sensation in their chest. However, a heart arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation can only be diagnosed through a EKG.
Atrial fibrillation/flutter?
DefinitionAtrial fibrillation/flutter is a heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia). It usually involves a rapid heart rate that is not regular.Alternative NamesAuricular fibrillation; A-fibCauses, incidence, and risk factorsArrhythmias are caused by problems with the heart's normal electrical conduction system.Normally, the four chambers of the heart (two atria and two ventricles) contract (squeeze) in an orderly way. When this happens, your heart is able to pump the blood your body needs without working any harder than it needs to.The electrial impulse that signals your heart to contract begins in the sinoatrial node (also called the sinus node or SA node). This node is your heart's natural pacemaker.The signal leaves the SA node and travels through the two upper chambers (atria).Then the signal passes through another node (the AV node), and finally, through the lower chambers (ventricles).In atrial fibrillation, the electrical impulse of the heart is not regular. The atria are contracting very quickly and not in a regular pattern. This makes the ventricles beat abnormally, leading to an irregular (and usually fast) pulse. As a result, the heart may be working harder and may no longer be able to pump enough blood.In atrial flutter, the ventricles may beat very fast, but in a regular pattern.If the atrial fibrillation/flutter is part of a condition called sick sinus syndrome, the sinus node may not work properly. The heart rate may alternate between slow and fast. As a result, there may not be enough blood to meet the needs of the body.Atrial fibrillation can affect both men and women. It becomes more common with increasing age.Causes of atrial fibrillation include:Alcohol use (especially binge drinking)Congestive heart failureCoronary artery disease (especially after a heart attack or coronary artery bypasssurgery)Heart surgeryHigh blood pressure (hypertension)Hypertrophic cardiomyopathyMedicationsOveractive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)PericarditisValvular heart disease (especially mitral stenosis and mitral regurgitation)SymptomsYou may not be aware that your heart is not beating in a normal pattern, especially if it has been occurring for some time.Symptoms may include:Pulse that feels rapid, racing, pounding, fluttering, or too slowPulse that feels regular or irregularSensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations)Shortness of breathConfusionDizziness, light-headednessFaintingFatigueNote: Symptoms may begin or stop suddenly. This is because atrial fibrillation may stop or start on its own.Signs and testsThe health care provider may hear a fast heartbeat while listening to the heart with a stethoscope. The pulse may feel rapid, irregular, or both. The normal heart rate is 60 - 100, but in atrial fibrillation/flutter the heart rate may be 100 - 175. Blood pressure may be normal or low.An ECG shows atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Continuous ambulatory cardiac monitoring -- Holter monitor (24 hour test) -- may be necessary because the condition often occurs at some times but not others (sporadic).Tests to find underlying heart diseases may include:Coronary angiographyEchocardiogramElectrophysiologic study (EPS)Exercise treadmill ECGNuclear imaging testsTreatmentIn certain cases, atrial fibrillation may need emergency treatment to get the heart back into normal rhythm. This treatment may involve electrical cardioversion or intravenous (IV) drugs such as dofetilide, amiodarone, or ibutilide. Drugs are typically needed to keep the pulse from being too fast.Daily medications taken by mouth are used in two different ways:To slow the irregular heartbeat. These medications may include beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and digitalis.To keep atrial fibrillation from coming back. These medications may work well in many people, but they can have serious side effects. Many patients may go back to atrial fibrillation even while taking these medications.Blood thinners, such as heparin and warfarin (Coumadin) reduce the risk of a blood clot traveling in the body (such as a stroke). Because these drugs increase the chance of bleeding, not everyone will use them. Antiplatelet drugs such as aspirin or clopidogrel may also be prescribed. Your doctor will consider your age and other medical problems to decide which drug is best.A procedure called radiofrequency ablation can be used to destroy areas in your heart that may be causing your heart rhythm problems. Cardiac ablation procedures are done in a hospital laboratory by specially trained staff. Reasons why ablation may be done include:When medicines are not controlling the symptoms, or are causing side effectsWhen the condition will become dangerous if not treatedAs a possible cure for some patients with atrial flutterSome patients may need the radiofrequency ablation done directly on an area of the heart called the AV junction. Ablation of the AV junction leads to complete heart block. This condition needs to be treated with a permanent pacemaker.Expectations (prognosis)The disorder is usually controllable with treatment. Many people with atrial fibrillation do very well.Atrial fibrillation tends to become a chronic condition, however. It may come back even wtih treatment.ComplicationsFainting (syncope), if atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter cause the pulse to be too quick or slowHeart failureStroke, if clots break off and travel to the brain (drugs that thin the blood such as heparin and warfarin can reduce the risk)Calling your health care providerCall your health care provider if you have symptoms of atrial fibrillation or flutter.PreventionFollow the health care provider's recommendations for treating underlying disorders. Avoid binge drinking.ReferencesLafuente-Lafuente C, Mahe I, Extramiana F. Management of atrial fibrillation. BMJ. 2009;b5216.Dobrev D, Nattel S. New antiarrhythmic drugs for treatment of atrial fibrillation. Lancet. 2010;375:1212-1223.Crandall MA, Bradley DJ, Packer DL, Asirvatham SJ. Contemporary management of atrial fibrillation: update on anticoagulation and invasive management strategies. Mayo Clin Proc. 2009;84:643-662.Fuster V, Ryden LE, Cannom DS, Crijns HJ, Curtis AB, Ellenbogen KA, et al. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines; European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines; European Heart Rhythm Association; Heart Rhythm Society. ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the European Society of Cardiology Committee for Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2006;114:e257-e354.Noheria A, Kumar A, Wylie JV Jr., Josephson ME. Catheter ablation vs. antiarrhythmic drug therapy for atrial fibrillation: a systematic review. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168:581-586.
How can you differentiate between atrial fibrillation (AFib) and premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)?
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is an irregular and rapid heartbeat originating in the upper chambers of the heart, while premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are early extra heartbeats originating in the lower chambers. AFib may feel like a fluttering or racing heart, while PVCs may feel like a skipped or extra beat. A doctor can use an electrocardiogram (ECG) to diagnose and differentiate between the two conditions.
Is atrial fibrillation just your heart missing beats or what exactly does it involve?
It is a diagnosis given to patients who's hearts either beat too fast or too slow. It will feel like your heart is fluttering in your chest. It may also feel like your heart is racing too fast.
Can you work with Atrial fibrillation?
Yes, I can provide information and guidance on atrial fibrillation (AFib), including its causes, symptoms, treatment options, and management strategies. AFib is a common heart rhythm disorder characterized by irregular and often rapid heartbeats, which can increase the risk of stroke and other heart-related complications. It's essential for individuals with AFib to work closely with healthcare professionals for proper diagnosis and personalized treatment plans. If you have specific questions or need further details, feel free to ask!
Can you conduct cardiac exercises while your heart rhythum is under atrial flutter?
I am a cardiac patient who has has open heart surgery in May 2006 and Pulmonary Vein Isolation Ablation in Jul 2008. My heart at the present time is in Atrial Flutter. I do poorly under the arrythmia. My question is can I safely exercise my heart on the treadmill or a weight training program while in the flutter. I feel tired almost immediately after starting the exercises which makes me suffer with chest discomfort. The only arrthmic drug that the doctors have prescribed is 200 mg a day of amiodarone. I used to take 400 mg a day and that kept me in sinus rhythum. Is it safe to exercise at the gym under this arrhymia. Thank you
Does atrial fib make you feel jittery inside?
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) can cause a variety of symptoms, including a racing or irregular heartbeat, which may lead to feelings of anxiety or jitteriness. This sensation is often due to the body's response to the rapid heart rate and can be accompanied by palpitations, shortness of breath, or fatigue. If you experience these feelings, it's important to consult a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and management.
What causes an erratic pulse rate?
causes of irregular pulse : Regularly irregular pulse : 1 sinus bradycardia 2 sinus tachycardia 3 paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia Irregularly irregular pulse: 1 atrial fibrillation 2 atrial flutter 3 ventricular premature beats 4 heart block 5 pacemaker dysfunction
What care should be taken if one is suffering from atrial fibrillation?
If a person is suffering from AF, proper care should be given to help them overcome any symptoms that may occur. Checking their blood pressure, monitoring their pulse, and asking a person how they feel can all be good ways to handle a person with AF.
What does it feel like to be floating?
There are several things these symptoms could represent, including atrial fibrillation or episodes of ventricular tachycardia. These could be symptoms of cardiac ischemia or an effect of a medication you are taking. I would recommend seeing your doctor for further evaluation.
Can you feel your stomach flutter when your 3 months pregnant?
If you can't tell for yourself, a pregnancy test can.
Would you be able to feel a pulse during atrial systole only?
No, you would not be able to feel a pulse during atrial systole alone. A pulse is felt when blood is ejected from the heart into the arteries during ventricular systole, when the ventricles contract and pump blood into the aorta and pulmonary artery. Atrial systole occurs just before ventricular contraction and primarily fills the ventricles with blood, so it does not generate the pressure wave necessary to create a palpable pulse.
