Atrial fibrillation is caused by what?

Written by Tang Li

Cardiology

Updated on September 02, 2024

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Atrial fibrillation can occur in healthy individuals, sometimes triggered by emotional excitement, surgery, exercise, or excessive drinking. It often occurs in patients with existing cardiovascular diseases, such as rheumatic heart disease, coronary artery disease, hypertensive heart disease, hyperthyroidism, constrictive pericarditis, myocarditis, infective endocarditis, and chronic pulmonary heart disease. Atrial fibrillation can also occur in middle-aged and young adults without cardiac diseases, known as lone atrial fibrillation.

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Written by Li Hai Wen

Cardiology

1min 1sec

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Is atrial fibrillation without symptoms dangerous?

Atrial fibrillation without symptoms is still dangerous. Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmic disease among the elderly and can cause the following issues: First, it can induce heart failure. Atrial fibrillation is a common cause of acute heart failure, especially in the elderly, who may suffer from acute heart failure due to an episode of atrial fibrillation, particularly those with structural heart disease, making them more prone to developing heart failure. Second, it can lead to thromboembolic complications. Atrial fibrillation is a common cause of thromboembolic complications. These complications are unrelated to whether the atrial fibrillation is symptomatic or not. When atrial fibrillation persists, it significantly increases the chances of forming atrial thrombi. If a thrombus dislodges, it can lead to the occurrence of thromboembolic events, such as a stroke.

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Written by Li Hai Wen

Cardiology

50sec

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How to diagnose atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation, abbreviated as AF, refers to rapid and irregular beating of the atrial chambers of the heart. How should one be examined after being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation? Generally, the examination for atrial fibrillation involves the following aspects: First, blood tests, such as thyroid function tests, to see if there is hyperthyroidism causing the atrial fibrillation. Second, echocardiography. This test can reveal whether there are any heart valve diseases or myocardial diseases that might lead to atrial fibrillation. Third, electrocardiogram (ECG) and Holter monitor. Both ECG and Holter monitoring are effective and non-invasive tests that confirm the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation.

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Written by Chen Tian Hua

Cardiology

1min 16sec

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What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?

The most common symptoms of atrial fibrillation episodes are chest tightness, palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue. When atrial fibrillation causes a significant decrease in cardiac output, it can also lead to insufficient cerebral blood supply, causing symptoms such as dizziness and blackouts. Occasionally, it may also cause fainting in patients. When coronary artery blood supply is insufficient, it can also trigger angina attacks. Moreover, if atrial fibrillation leads to heart failure, it can cause significant respiratory difficulty. Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia clinically. The treatment of atrial fibrillation should be based on the specific situation, choosing either cardioversion or controlling the ventricular rate. Cardioversion can be achieved through medication or radiofrequency ablation surgery, while controlling the ventricular rate can be managed with β-blockers, amiodarone, digoxin, and other drugs. In treating atrial fibrillation with ventricular rate control, patients need to take anticoagulants long-term to prevent the occurrence of peripheral arterial embolism. (Please follow medical advice regarding medications.)

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Written by Tang Li

Cardiology

57sec

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How is atrial fibrillation surgery performed?

Frequent atrial fibrillation attacks with a rapid ventricular rate, in cases unresponsive to drug treatment, can be managed by atrioventricular node ablation followed by the placement of a ventricular demand or dual-chamber pacemaker. Other treatment methods include radiofrequency ablation, surgical operations, and implantation of atrial defibrillators. In recent years, there have been significant advances in the methods for atrial fibrillation ablation, and the indications for atrial fibrillation ablation have been expanded. However, the success rate remains suboptimal and the recurrence rate is relatively high. Currently, international guidelines still categorize radiofrequency ablation as a second-line treatment for atrial fibrillation, not as the first choice treatment.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong

Cardiology

1min 35sec

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Can a normal heart rate have atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation includes paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and persistent atrial fibrillation. Patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation may have a normal heart rate during non-attack periods. In contrast, those with persistent atrial fibrillation continuously experience atrial fibrillation rates, presenting with irregular heart sounds of varying intensity. A normal electrocardiogram displays P waves, QRS complexes, and T waves. However, patients with atrial fibrillation either do not exhibit P waves or show irregularly sized, serrated P waves resembling dog teeth, suggesting atrial fibrillation. Therefore, although atrial fibrillation is associated with arrhythmias, individuals with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation may have a normal heart rate but experience repeated palpitations, chest tightness, discomfort in the precordial region, and fatigue. Therefore, patients who frequently experience palpitations should undergo a 24-hour Holter monitor test or consider esophageal electrophysiological examinations to rule out arrhythmic disorders, such as atrial fibrillation and supraventricular tachycardia. Hence, a normal heart rate does not exclude the presence of atrial fibrillation in individuals with corresponding symptoms.