AF is often treated with medications to slow the heart rate to a near normal range (known as rate control) or to convert the rhythm to normal sinus rhythm (known as rhythm control). Electrical cardioversion can also be used to convert AF to a normal sinus rhythm and is often used emergently if the person is unstable.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atrial_fibrillation
fibrillation. n. 1. (Physiology) a local and uncontrollable twitching of muscle fibres, esp of the heart, not affecting the entire muscle. Atrial fibrillation results in rapid and irregular heart and pulse rate. In ventricular fibrillation, the heart stops beating. 2. (Pathology) irregular twitchings of the muscular wall of the heart, often interfering with the normal rhythmic contractions. (ˌfaɪ brəˈleɪ ʃən, or, esp. for 2, ˌfɪb rə-).
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/fibrillation
Depending on the risk of stroke either aspirin or anti-clotting medications such as warfarin or a novel oral anticoagulant may be recommended. While these medications reduce this risk, they increase rates of major bleeding. Atrial fibrillation is the most common serious abnormal heart rhythm. In Europe and North America, as of 2014, it affects about 2% to 3% of the population.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atrial_fibrillation
fibrillation-muscular twitching involving individual muscle fibers acting without coordination. twitch, twitching, vellication-a sudden muscle spasm; especially one caused by a nervous condition. atrial fibrillation-fibrillation of the muscles of the atria of the heart.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/fibrillation
Treatment. Atrial fibrillation and flutter are usually treated with medications and/or electrical shock (cardioversion). In some cases, removal of a small portion of the heart (ablation), implantation of a pacemaker or a cardioverter defibrillator, or maze surgery is needed.
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Atrial+Fibrillation+and+Flutter
Atrial fibrillation (AF or A-fib) is an abnormal heart rhythm characterized by rapid and irregular beating. Often it starts as brief periods of abnormal beating which become longer and possibly constant over time. Most episodes have no symptoms.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atrial_fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation and flutter are two types of cardiac arrhythmias, irregularities in the heart's rhythm. Nearly 2 million Americans have atrial fibrillation, according to the American Heart Association.
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Atrial+Fibrillation+and+Flutter
Arrhythmia — A variation in the normal rhythm of the heart beat. Atrial fibrillation and flutter are two types of arrhythmia. Atria — The two small upper chambers of the heart that receive blood from the lungs and the body.
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Atrial+Fibrillation+and+Flutter
Definition. Atrial fibrillation and flutter are abnormal heart rhythms in which the atria, or upper chambers of the heart, are out of sync with the ventricles, or lower chambers of the heart. In atrial fibrillation, the atria quiver chaotically and the ventricles beat irregularly.
http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Atrial+Fibrillation+and+Flutter
Updated:Dec 10,2014. Atrial fibrillation (also called AFib or AF) is a quivering or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. Some people refer to AF as a quivering heart. An estimated 2.7 million Americans are living with AF.
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Arrhythmia/AboutArrhythmia/What-is-Atrial-Fibrillation-AFib-or-AF_UCM_423748_Article.jsp
define atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm characterized by rapid and irregular beating.