Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a particular type of heartbeat (arrhythmia) characterized by an extremely fast irregular rhythm.
When at rest, the healthy heartbeats between 60 and 90 times a minute, with the atria (the two upper chambers of the heart) beating slightly earlier than the ventricles (the two lower chambers of the heart). The rate and timing of contractions (beats) are regulated by electrical impulses generated by the sinoatrial node (a specialized group of cells that produce small...
Reader's Question: I was diagnosed with osteopenia. My doctor advised me to start taking Fosamax. My mother has atrial fibrillation. ... Read more »
“You want to do what?” she asked. “Because you have Atrial Fibrillation, I’d like to schedule you for an electrical... Read more »
People who suffer with Atrial Fibrillation ask this question very, very frequently. It is a common worry. Why? A couple reasons seem... Read more »
Blood clots are the dreaded complication of the abnormal heart rhythm aka, Atrial Fibrillation. By itself the rhythm rarely is fatal.... Read more »
“Why Me?” Just last week one of my patients was in the office asking this important question. Carl was a man in his forties,... Read more »
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Atrial fibrillation/flutter is a common type of abnormal heartbeat in which the heart rhythm is fast and irregular. Alternative Names ... Read more »
Source: HealthCentral Encyclopedia
Article updated and reviewed by Neil Siecke, MD, Clinical Insturctor, UCSD Division of Cardiology. Editorial review provided by VeriMed Healthcare... Read more »
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
VF; Fibrillation - ventricular Treatment Ventricular fibrillation is a medical emergency and must be treated immediately to save a... Read more »
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a congenital heart defect in which the wall that separates the upper heart chambers (atria) does not close completely.... Read more »
Source: ADAM Encyclopedia
An atrial myxoma is a noncancerous tumor in the upper left or right side of the heart. It grows on the wall (atrial septum) that separates the two... Read more »