Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation, also known as “AFib,” is the most often diagnosed form of heart arrhythmia. It refers to a condition in which the two upper chambers of the heart contract at an abnormally quick and irregular rate due to malfunctioning electrical signals. While not all patients with atrial fibrillation are symptomatic, the condition comes with an elevated risk of stroke even when the classic symptoms of chest pain and palpitations are not registered. In fact, A-Fib occurs in up to one-fifth of all patients who experience a stroke. This is due to blood clots that can form as a result of blood pooling in certain areas of the heart, and why blood thinners such as Coumadin are often prescribed for those with this type of arrhythmia. In some cases, lifestyle modifications, management of a thyroid condition and various medications are all that is needed to treat a patient with A-Fib, though these will not cure the patient of the condition.