What is atrial fibrillation, what causes atrial fibrillation and what are the symptoms? A healthy heart beats 60 to 70 times per minute during the day and during exercise this can increase to 160 to 180 beats per minute. When you sleep, the heart rate can drop to 30 or 40 beats per minute. A normal heart rhythm is regular and has a certain speed. Atrial fibrillation is a heart rhythm disorder in which the atria of the heart contract very quickly and uncontrollably, causing the heart rate to become irregular and speed up (and sometimes slow down). There are different types of cardiac arrhythmias. Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common. Atrial fibrillation symptoms include palpitations, dizziness, chest discomfort, shortness of breath and general weakness. But there are also people who have had atrial fibrillation for years without noticing anything. There are various effective treatments available to combat atrial fibrillation.

• Causes of atrial fibrillation

• High blood pressure or underlying heart disease
• Thyroid problems
• No known cause
• Old age
• Lifestyle factors

• Symptoms of atrial fibrillation

• Phenomena
• Different forms of atrial fibrillation

• Risks of atrial fibrillation

• Widening of the atria and scarring
• Stroke

• Treatment of atrial fibrillation

• Medication
• Surgical procedure

Causes of atrial fibrillation

High blood pressure or underlying heart disease

Atrial fibrillation can have many different causes. Atrial fibrillation is often caused by high blood pressure (hypertension). There may also be underlying heart disease, such as heart valve abnormalities, coronary artery disease with a myocardial infarction or heart muscle diseases.

Thyroid problems

The cause does not have to be sought solely in heart defects. Another known cause is an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).

No known cause

However, in approximately 20% of cases, no clear cause can be identified.

Old age

It is often also a matter of age; The risk of atrial fibrillation increases, especially after the age of sixty. Furthermore, it appears that very enthusiastic athletes such as marathon runners have a greater risk of atrial fibrillation due to the heavy burden on their hearts.Excessive coffee consumption can cause or worsen an attack of atrial fibrillation / Source: Istock.com/PuwanaiSomwan

Lifestyle factors

Consuming (excessive) alcohol and coffee can cause an attack of atrial fibrillation or worsen complaints. Being seriously overweight and smoking also increases the risk of atrial fibrillation.

Symptoms of atrial fibrillation

Phenomena

Not everyone with atrial fibrillation experiences symptoms and not everyone experiences the same symptoms. Symptoms of atrial fibrillation may include:

• palpitations;
• uneven heart rate;
• fatigue and general malaise;
• shortness of breath;
• dizziness, light-headedness; and
• an unpleasant feeling in the chest or chest pain.

Different forms of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation can occur in attacks of varying duration. It appears and after a few hours or days it disappears spontaneously. This is called paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. The cardiac arrhythmia can also persist and can only be resolved by defibrillation (administering an electric shock) or medication. This is called persistent atrial fibrillation. If the cardiac arrhythmia cannot be stopped by administering an electric shock, it is referred to as permanent or chronic atrial fibrillation.

Risks of atrial fibrillation

Widening of the atria and scarring

Long-term and persistent atrial fibrillation can lead to dilation of the atria and scarring of the atrial walls. This means that it becomes more difficult to obtain and maintain a normal rhythm from the sinus node. The heart rhythm is established in a group of specialized cells (pacemaker cells), which are located at the top of the right atrium of the heart. This group of cells is called the sinus node.The sinus node function can also deteriorate, causing a rhythm that is too slow (sinus bradycardia) and even sinus arrests can occur (sick sinus syndrome).

Stroke

People with atrial fibrillation have a much greater risk of having a stroke. This is because the atria do not contract adequately and in an orderly manner, so blood does not flow through them as quickly, which increases the risk of blood clots. Clots can shoot away and end up in the brain, but also in other organs such as the heart, kidneys and intestines.Medication / Source: Syda Productions/Shutterstock.com

Treatment of atrial fibrillation

Medication

In principle, atrial fibrillation is a harmless condition when the correct treatment is initiated. Treatment is desirable to improve quality of life and prevent complications. The first treatment consists of prescribing medications that target the arrhythmia. You will also be given medication to prevent clot formation.

Surgical procedure

If medications do not have sufficient effect, other treatment options will be considered. This may consist of a catheter ablation or (heart) surgery. During a catheter ablation, heart tissue that causes many rhythm problems is locally damaged using a catheter, which can remove the cause of an abnormal heart rhythm. If medications and ablation have provided no or insufficient relief, a Maze operation can be chosen. During this procedure, tissue is heated in critical places in both atria of the heart, causing scars to form, which form blockages that prevent arrhythmias from occurring. The scars applied are small enough not to disrupt the function of the heart, but do block the conduction of the electrical impulses responsible for atrial fibrillation. The Maze operation can possibly be combined with another procedure, such as valve surgery.

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