Normally, the four chambers of the heart contract (squeeze) in a very organized way. The electrical impulse that signals your heart to contract begins in an area called the sinoatrial node (also called the sinus node or SA node). This helps the heart pump all the blood the body needs. In atrial fibrillation, the electrical impulse of the heart is not regular.
Parts of the heart cannot contract in a coordinated pattern.
As a result, the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
In atrial flutter, the ventricles may beat very rapidly, but in a regular pattern.These problems can affect both men and women and become more common as you get older. Common causes of atrial fibrillation include:
Alcohol use (especially binge drinking)
Coronary artery disease Heart attack or heart bypass surgery Heart failure or an enlarged heart Heart valve disease (most often the mitral valve) Medications Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) Pericarditis Sick sinus syndrome
What causes Atrial flutter?
Normally, the four chambers of the heart contract (squeeze) in a very organized way. The electrical impulse that signals your heart to contract begins in an area called the sinoatrial node (also called the sinus node or {{ORGANIZATION}} node). This helps the heart pump all the blood the body needs. In atrial fibrillation, the electrical impulse of the heart is not regular.
Parts of the heart cannot contract in a coordinated pattern.
As a result, the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs.
In atrial flutter, the {{NAME}} may beat very rapidly, but in a regular pattern.These problems can affect both men and women and become more common as you get older. Common causes of atrial fibrillation include:
Alcohol use (especially binge drinking)
Coronary artery disease Heart attack or heart bypass surgery Heart failure or an enlarged heart Heart valve disease (most often the mitral valve) Medications Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) {{NAME}} sinus syndrome