Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): Atrial fibrillation (AFib) describes a rapid, irregular heart rhythm. The irregular rhythm, or arrhythmia, results from abnormal electrical impulses in the heart. Atrial fibrillation may be treated with medications or surgery. There are many causes of atrial fibrillation, for example, pneumonia, heart disease, alcohol use, and thyroid problems. Symptoms of atrial fibrillation include chest pain and/or angina, nausea, dizziness, and heart palpitations. Atrial fibrillation is managed and treated with medication, medical procedures, and surgery.
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Heart Rhythm Disorders
Arrhythmias or heart rhythm disorders are conditions that causes changes in the normal heartbeat. There are numerous types of arrhythmias, for example, supraventricular tachycardia, sinus sick syndrome, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and ventricular fibrillation. Signs and symptoms of an arrhythmia may include: Chest pain or discomfort Shortness of breath Palpitations Racing heart sensation Treatment for arrhythmias depend upon the cause. -
Atrial Flutter
Atrial flutter is a type of arrhythmia, that is, an irregularity in the beating of the heart. Symptoms of atrial flutter include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, anxiety, weakness, and a fluttering feeling in the chest. Causes of atrial flutter include heart disease, hypertension, heart muscle disease, heart abnormalities, substances, and diseases that affect other areas of the body. Treatment of atrial flutter includes defibrillation and medication. -
Blood Clots
Blood is supposed to clot to help repair a blood vessel that is injured. Clots or thrombi become a problem when they form inappropriately. There are a variety of illnesses and risk factors that can lead to blood clot formation such as atrial fibrillation, heart attack, strokes, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and more. Diagnosis and treatment of blood clots depends on the cause and severity of the clot. -
Congestive Heart Failure
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart can't pump enough blood and oxygen to the body's tissues. Learn about symptoms and treatment. -
Hardening of the Arteries
Atherosclerosis is the term referring to a hardening of the arteries caused by buildup of fat and cholesterol on the artery walls. The deposits, called plaque, can eventually block blood flow. Obesity, high cholesterol, age and a number of other factors put people at risk for atherosclerosis. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, surgery, and medication. -
Heart Attack
A heart attack is an interruption in blood flow to the heart muscle. Arterial plaque rupture is often the cause of a heart attack. Symptoms of a heart attack may include chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, and nausea. Emergency heart catheterization and thrombolytic therapy may be used to treat a heart attack. -
Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a group of different types of heart disease. Symptoms of heart disease depend on the cause and inclue chest pain or angina, shortness of breath, palpitations, and dizziness. Many conditions causes heart disease, for example, genetics, obesity, high cholesterol, and smoking. Treatment for heart disease depend on the cause and include diet and other lifestyle changes, medications, procedures, and surgery. The prognosis (outlook) and life span for someone with heart disease varies depending on the cause. -
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) may be present in an individual, without any symptoms. Thus, it is called the "silent killer." Causes of high blood pressure include heart disease, kidney disease, tumors, birth control, alcohol, thyroid dysfunction, and birth control pills.Treatment of high blood pressure is generally through diet, exercise, and medication if necessary. -
High Cholesterol
High cholesterol increases your risk for heart attack and stroke. There are no symptoms and it is often diagnosed during routine blood tests. Learn about prevention and treatment. -
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism refers to a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. Causes of hyperthyroidism include: Graves' disease, thyroid adenoma, thyroid goiter, subacute thyroiditis, and drug-induce hyperthyroidism. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include irritability, heart palpitations, heat intolerance, weight loss or gain, frequent bowel movements, lower leg edema, infertility, fatigue, and more. Treatment for hyperthyroidism depends on the cause and can include medications or surgery. -
Low Blood Pressure
Low blood pressure (hypotension) may be caused by heart conditions, intravascular fluid complications (dehydration, pneumonia, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding), medications, endocrine conditions, allergic reactions, orthostatic hypotension, diabetes, and micturition syncope. Low blood pressure may or may not have symptoms depending upon the cause. Treatment also depends upon the causes of low blood pressure. -
Palpitations
Heart palpitations are an abnormality of the normal heartbeat and rhythm and are a symptom of another disease or problem. Causes of heart palpitations include heart disease or other heart problems (mitral valve prolapse, atrial fibrillation), during pregnancy, perimenopause, menopause, postmenopause, anxiety, emotional stress, stimulants (caffeine, alcohol, drugs), and some over-the-counter and prescription medications. Other symptoms that may accompany heart palpitations include nausea, vomiting, sweating, shortness of breath, and angina (heart pain). Some types of heart palpitations can be fatal, for example, ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia. -
Pericarditis
Pericarditis is a condition in which the thin membrane that lines the heart becomes inflamed. In most cases of pericarditis, the cause is not known. The most common symptom of pericarditis is chest pain. Treatment is generally ibuprofen; however, if the condition is life-threatening surgery may be required. There is no way to prevent pericarditis. -
Pulmonary Embolism
A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blood clot in the lung. The clot typically comes from other areas of the body and travels to the lung, where it becomes lodged. Pulmonary embolism can cause serious problems, from shortness of breath to instantaneous death, depending on the nature of the clot. -
Stroke
Stroke is a medical emergency. When a person has a stroke, part of the blood supply to the brain is cut off or greatly decreased. There are two main types of stroke, ischemic and hemorrhagic. Stroke symptoms include dizziness, sudden headache, weakness in an arm or leg on the same side, weakness in the muscles of the face, difficulty speaking, vision problems, and more. Treatment of stroke depends on the type and severity of the stroke suffered.
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Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Topic Guide - Visuals
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Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins
Medications:
DronedaroneDronedarone is a heart rhythm medicine that helps lower your risk of needing to be hospitalized for a heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation. Drone...learn more »
RivaroxabanRivaroxaban is used to treat or prevent blood clots (venous thromboembolism, or VTE). Blood clots can occur in the legs (deep vein thrombosis, DVT) or the lu...learn more »
DabigatranDabigatran is used to lower the risk of stroke caused by a blood clot in people with a heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation. This medicine is us...learn more »
IbutilideIbutilide is an anti-arrhythmic heart medication that corrects certain conditions of irregular heart rhythm...learn more »
SotalolSotalol is a beta-blocker that affects the heart and circulation within the atrium and ventricles (the upper and lower chambers of the heart that allow blood...learn more »
PropafenonePropafenone is a Class IC anti-arrhythmic that affects the way your heart beats...learn more »
FlecainideFlecainide is a Class IC anti-arrhythmic that is used in certain situations to prevent serious heart rhythm disorders...learn more »
EsmololEsmolol is a beta-blocker that is used to help keep the heart beating normally in people with certain heart rhythm disorders of the atrium (the upper chamber...learn more »
Digoxin (oral)Digoxin is derived from the leaves of a digitalis plant and is used to treat heart failure.
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MetoprololMetoprolol is a beta-blocker that affects the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins)...learn more »
Verapamil (oral)Verapamil is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), angina (chest pain), and certain heart rhythm disorders...learn more »
DiltiazemDiltiazem is a calcium channel blocker that is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) or angina (chest pain)...learn more »
PropranololPropranolol is a beta-blocker. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins)...learn more »
QuinidineQuinidine is used to help keep the heart beating normally in people with certain heart rhythm disorders, usually after other treatments have failed. Quin...
learn more »Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Topic Guide – Related Topics
Related Topics:
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Complete blood count (CBC) is one of the most common blood tests. The complete blood count test provides valuable information about the quantity of the differen...learn more »
Chest X-Ray
Chest X-ray is a common procedure ordered to diagnose certain diseases and conditions such as pneumonia, congestive heart failure, emphysema, lung masses or nod...learn more »
Atrial Fibrillation vs. Ventricular Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation or Afib and ventricular fibrillation or Vfib are both a type of abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia). Atrial fibrillation is caused by irregul...learn more »
What Can Trigger Atrial Fibrillation
If A-fib is treated promptly and well managed, patients can have a normal life expectancy. Poorer outcomes may occur in patients with heart failure, intravent...learn more »
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
An electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG) is a tool used to assist in diagnosing heart diseases and conditions, for example, atrial and ventricular fibrillation, heart at...learn more »
Fainting
Fainting or syncope, is a temporary loss of consciousness. Causes of fainting include vasovagal, situational, postural, cardiac, neurologic, and psychogenic. ...learn more »
Supraventricular Tachycardia
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT, PSVT) is a type of heart rhythm disorder in which the heart beats faster than normal. Learn about symptoms, causes, and treat...learn more »
Transient Ischemic Attack (Mini-Stroke)
A transient ischemic attack (TIA), or mini-stroke, is often a warning sign of a future learn more »