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

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Can atrial fibrillation heal itself?

No. Atrial fibrillation, often abbreviated as AFib, is becoming more common as society ages. Many patients ask their doctors if AFib will go away on its own. The answer is no, AFib will not resolve itself. Therefore, once diagnosed with AFib, it is essential to visit a hospital and follow the guidance of a doctor. Proper medication under medical supervision can control symptoms, prevent complications, ensure a good quality of life, improve long-term outcomes, and extend life expectancy.

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Written by Chen Ya

Geriatrics

1min 37sec

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Is heart palpitation the same as atrial fibrillation?

Palpitations are considered a disease term in Chinese medicine, while atrial fibrillation is a medical term in Western medicine. Generally, if there is a correlation between Chinese and Western medical terminology, palpitations can correspond to atrial fibrillation, but not all cases of palpitations are atrial fibrillation. In Chinese medicine, palpitations refer to a subjective feeling of unease or discomfort in the chest, and a feeling of irregular heartbeats. For example, some people may feel their heartbeat distinctly even when their heart rate is not fast, especially when their blood pressure is high; this is also considered palpitations. Additionally, some people may experience a rapid "thumping" heart rate after physical exertion or when they have a fever, which is also a manifestation of palpitations. There are also healthy, sensitive young individuals who can feel their heartbeat while lying down quietly or during sleep, which is also classified as palpitations. However, palpitations that are caused by heart arrhythmias, like atrial fibrillation, where individuals can feel their heart beating rapidly and experience anxiety, are specifically indicative of atrial fibrillation; other types are not considered the same.

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Written by Li Hai Wen

Cardiology

39sec

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What does atrial fibrillation mean?

Atrial fibrillation, often abbreviated as AF, is a common type of cardiac arrhythmia in the elderly. Medically, it is described as a disorderly and irregular heart rhythm without a rhythm in the atria. In layman's terms, for example, if our heartbeat is like people queuing up to buy tickets, normally everyone comes one by one in an orderly manner. Atrial fibrillation, however, is like everyone rushing to the ticketing area at once. Consequently, some people might run fast, others slow, some take up more space because they are heavier, and others less because they are thinner. Atrial fibrillation is similar to this scenario.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei

Cardiology

48sec

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Is atrial fibrillation the same as atrial flutter?

Atrial fibrillation, also known simply as AFib, is the same disease just referred to by different names. Atrial fibrillation is caused by various reasons leading to pathological changes in cardiac contractility and conductivity. By using a stethoscope, a doctor can detect irregularities in heart rate and varying intensities of heart sounds. Electrocardiogram (ECG) tests can record the distinctive waveforms of atrial fibrillation. Rapid atrial fibrillation requires medication for treatment. If not effectively treated, long-term atrial fibrillation can lead to heart failure, resulting in insufficient blood supply to the body and causing significant harm.

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Written by Tang Li

Cardiology

50sec

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What medicine is used for atrial fibrillation?

The current medications for atrial fibrillation mainly include three types: the first type controls the ventricular rate, which ensures the basic function of the patient's heart and minimizes the cardiac dysfunction caused by atrial fibrillation. This includes drugs such as receptor blockers and calcium channel antagonists, digoxin, amiodarone, and others. The second type of drugs are those used for cardioversion. The third type of drugs are those used to prevent embolism, which are anticoagulants. Currently, the main drugs include warfarin, new anticoagulants such as dabigatran and rivaroxaban, and intravenous medications like low molecular weight heparin calcium and nadroparin.