What is Atrial Fibrillation? Signs and Symptoms of the Most Common Form of Irregular Heartbeat

What Is Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation (also called AF or Afib) is the most common type of irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia, and is indicated by a rapid and erratic pulse.In a person with a normal heart rhythm, the resting heartrate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute, with a normal rhythm to the heartbeats.Someone with atrial fibrillation may experience a heartrate of between 300 and 600 beats per minute, in an erratic, or non-constant rhythm.This is caused by a disfunction of the atria of the heart, causing it to beat rapidly and irregularly.
The atria are the blood chambers of the heart.There are two atria, one on either side of the heart. On the right side is the atrium that holds blood that needs oxygen. It sends blood to the right ventricle which sends it to the lungs for oxygen. After it comes back, it is sent to the left atrium. The blood is pumped from the left atrium and sent to the ventricle where it is sent out of the heart. It is then sent to all the rest of the body.(Wikipedia) In a person with atrial fibrillation, the rapid and irregular beating of the atria can obstruct the flow of blood through the atria, leaving the patient vulnerable to blood clots, and increasing his or her potential to suffer from stroke, should a blood clot travel to the brain, or to problems with the kidneys, heart, and intenstines, should a blood clot travel to any of those organs.Heart failure is also a concern if atrial fibrillation is left untreated for a long period of time,as the over use can weaken the heart’s ability to pump blood.
How Do You Diagnose Atrial Fibrillation? Some of the symptoms of atrial fibrillation include heart palpitations, including a sense of strong or thumping heartbeat, fluttering, or racing heartbeat, decreased energy, fatigue, dizziness or lightheadedness, chest pain or pressure, and shortness of breath.However, it is important to note that some people who have atrial fibrillation never experience any symptoms at all.