Atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is when the heart beats in a fast and irregular way that is not normal. During atrial fibrillation (AF) it is the upper chambers of the heart that beat in an abnormal way. AF may not have any symptoms and the patient may not notice that it is happening at all. It often begins as short periods of abnormal beating, which then become longer or start to happen all the time. It may also start as other forms of arrhythmia such as atrial flutter that then become AF. Episodes with symptoms may involve heart palpitations, fainting, light-headedness (dizziness), shortness of breath, or pains in the chest. AF is may cause an increased risk of heart failure, dementia, and stroke. Although the causes of AF are not exactly known it is associated with heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, COPD, being older, sleep apnoea, excess alcohol intake, tobacco smoking, diabetes mellitus, and thyrotoxicosis. About 50% of AF cases are not associated with these risk factors. Doctors might suspect AF after feeling the pulse and then order an ECG to confirm the diagnosis. Atrial fibrillation is the most common serious abnormal heart rhythm and, as of 2020, affects more than 33 million people worldwide.