Causes of Atrial Fibrillation

Generally speaking, the cause of Atrial Fibrillation is not understood. .It tends to occur in people who have had heart disease for some time, especially if they also have enlarged atria, as the weakened heart muscle in this condition prevents the electrical impulses from flowing smoothly through the heart.

It is fairly common in those who have suffered from Pneumonia, Rheumatic Fever, in those who have an over-active Thyroid gland (Thyrotoxicosis) and in those who have atherosclerotic heart disease where the inner walls of the artery have thickened.

In these cases the artery has become narrower than is normal thus reducing the blood flow to the heart. Atrial Fibrillation is particularly common in those who have mitral valve disease.

Atrial fibrillation is becoming more common

Atrial Fibrillation is becoming much more common as the population ages. People who have heart disease are now living much longer because of improved methods of treatment and a number of them are developing Atrial Fibrillation.

The incidence of Atrial Fibrillation in the United States is 1.5 % of the population but in those aged over 75 it is probably about 10%

When Atrial Fibrillation occurs suddenly, the sufferer might experience Palpitations (being aware that the heart is beating extremely rapidly). This can be distressing and frightening. The patient needs calm reassurance during an attack of Palpitations.

It is beneficial to distract the patient's mind from the distressing symptoms by engaging in some gentle activity such as playing a simple and non-competitive card game; listening to quiet music; reading an interesting but not exciting book or watching a calm TV programme.

When the Palpitations have subsided the patient will probably feel exhausted and will need to rest quietly or sleep. If the Palpitations cause chest pain, fainting or dizziness a doctor should be consulted at once.

Increased risk of blood clots

An unfortunate side-effect of Atrial Fibrillation is the possibility of blood clots forming in the atria because of the inefficient pumping action of the heart. The fear is that when the heartbeat returns to normal, these blood clots might leave the atria and enter the blood stream, eventually blocking an artery.

This is always serious but if the clot lodges in the pulmonary artery to the lungs, it would cause a pulmonary embolism with severe breathing difficulties. Alternatively it might enter the main artery to the brain causing stroke.

Indeed the clots might affect any organ in the body with resultant problems. The likelihood of suffering stroke is five times greater than normal in those who have Atrial Fibrillation.

Atrial Fibrillation Diagnosis >>