Atrial Fibrillation

What is Atrial Fibrillation?

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disturbance encountered by doctors. Department of Health, 2007 figures, suggested AF affected in excess of 600,000 people in the UK. This is now considered to be an under estimate and that a more accurate figure may now be in excess of one million, with 200,000 patients being newly diagnosed each year.

It can affect adults of any age, but it is more common as people get older. In the over 65 year old age group, it affects about 10% of people. Atrial fibrillation is not a life-threatening heart rhythm problem, but it can be troublesome and often requires treatment.

Atrial fibrillation or AF occurs when chaotic electrical activity develops in the upper chambers or atria, and completely takes over from the sinus node. As a result, the atria no longer beat in an organised way, and pump less efficiently. The AV node will stop some of these very rapid impulses from travelling to the ventricles, but the ventricles will still beat irregularly and possibly rapidly.

What are the symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation?

Some Atrial Fibrillation (AF) patients do not experience symptoms, and the AF is only discovered at a routine medical examination or after a health problem. However, for those who do, the most common symptoms are:

• Palpitations, (or awareness of the heartbeat), which may be rapid
• Tiredness
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Chest pain

Related links

Some Atrial Fibrillation (AF) patients do not experience symptoms, and the AF is only discovered at a routine medical examination or after a health problem. However, for those who do, the most common symptoms are:

• The Atrial Fibrillation Association (AFA) – is a UK registered charity which focuses on raising awareness of Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
• Arrhythmia Alliance – promoting better understanding, diagnosis, treatment and quality of life for individuals with cardiac arrhythmias.

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