Identifying atrial fibrillation is important to treat it promptly. Atrial fibrillation, or AF, is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and affects millions of people worldwide.
Atrial fibrillation is an alteration of the heart rhythm, known as an arrhythmia, characterized by disorganized electrical activity in the atria, which are the upper chambers of the heart.
On the other hand, there are also cardiac arrhythmias caused by ventricular fibrillation, a condition that affects the ventricles of the heart.
Atrial fibrillation causes
This condition may be caused by various factors or conditions and is often multifactorial in nature.
Among the most common causes are heart diseases such as high blood pressure, ischemic heart disease, valvular disease, or heart failure.
However, it also responds to non-cardiac factors such as hyperthyroidism, obesity, diabetes, and sleep apnea.
Additionally, there are so-called triggers, which are variable factors that can contribute to the onset of atrial fibrillation. These include excessive alcohol intake, stress, intense physical activity, and some cardiac surgical procedures.
Atrial fibrillation classification
Atrial fibrillation can be classified in different ways according to episode duration and pattern.
- Paroxysmal AF: characterized by episodes that begin suddenly and resolve spontaneously, generally in less than 48 hours, but may last up to seven days.
- Persistent AF: episodes last more than 7 days and do not resolve spontaneously, requiring medical treatment or a procedure.
- Long-standing persistent AF: episodes last more than 12 months and usually require more aggressive management, such as cardiac ablation.
- Permanent AF: the abnormal heart rhythm persists indefinitely; treatment focuses on controlling heart rate and preventing complications such as blood clots.
Atrial fibrillation ECG
The electrocardiogram (ECG) is the most important diagnostic tool for detecting atrial fibrillation.
This test measures the heart’s electrical activity through electrodes placed on the skin.
When the heart is normal, the ECG shows a regular pattern of waves that represent atrial and ventricular contractions. But when a patient has atrial fibrillation, the pattern changes characteristically:
There is an absence of P waves, which normally represent the atrial electrical activity, and instead there is irregular electrical activity in the form of fibrillatory waves, known as F waves.
Instead of a regular rhythm, the ventricles contract irregularly due to the lack of coordination between atrial and ventricular activity.
Depending on the severity of atrial fibrillation, the heart rate may also be faster than normal, known as tachycardia.
Although the ECG is essential for the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, additional evaluation tests are required, such as the echocardiogram or Holter monitoring.
Since atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia with significant clinical implications, it is important to diagnose and treat it to control symptoms and reduce the risk of severe complications effectively.
At ABC Medical Center’s Cardiovascular Center, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
Fuentes:
MedlinePlus, MSD Manuals, NIH
