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Atrial Fibrillation
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm that starts in the upper chambers of the heart.
What is going on in the body?
The top chambers of the heart are called the atria. They feed blood into the lower chambers, called ventricles. In some people, the atria begin to fibrillate, or twitch. This causes the normal, regular beating of the heart to change to a random, chaotic rhythm. This is called atrial fibrillation.
What are the causes and risks of the disease?
Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disturbance for which people seek medical attention. It is most common in elderly individuals. It is more common in men than in women.
Risk factors for atrial fibrillation include the following: