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`Atrial fibrillation (part 1) – When the heart loses
`its rhythm
`News dated 13.09.2018
`Patients with atrial fibrillation notice symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, heart
`palpitations, or irregular pulse. Irregularities and skipped beats are normal to a certain
`extent. However, if the symptoms become more frequent, it is worth consulting a doctor.
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`6/2/22, 9:17 AM
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`Atrial fibrillation (part 1) – When the heart loses its rhythm | Hirslanden Switzerland
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`A healthy heartbeat is regular, variable, occurs unconsciously and feels like a pulse wave
`throughout the body. The rhythm is usually determined by an electric impulse produced by
`the sinus node in
` the right atrium of the heart and it reacts quickly to physical exertion or
`emotional and psychological factors. This is known as the sinus rhythm.
`Atrial fibrillation – Uncontrolled heart rhythm
`Atrial fibrillation
` causes the sinus rhythm to be disrupted by erratic electrical impulses. The
`heart goes haywire, beating in
` an irregular and uncoordinated manner. The sinus node fibril-
`lates and the AV node, which
` usually only transmits the regular electrical impulses from the
`atriums to the ventricles, starts dictating the rhythm of the heart’s chambers. This causes
`the heart’s activity to become irregular and disconnected from any physical exertion or
`emotions, so that it no longer adapts to the needs of the body. The atriums beat up to 350
`times a minute, while the ventricles beat between 60 and 130 times a minute.
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`Older people are more frequently affected
`Atrial fibrillation
` is usually caused by unusual triggers in the transitional tissue between the
`pulmonary veins and the left atrium. It can also be caused by tissue changes (fibrosis) in the
`atriums of the heart, which
` can hinder the transmission of the heart’s electrical impulses in
`the atriums. These tissue changes are typically age-related, however they can also be pro-
`moted by disorders such
` as high blood pressure, heart-related illnesses, excess body
`weight, diabetes, renal insufficiency, an over-active thyroid, sleep apnoea, alcohol, etc.
`Around one percent of 60-year-olds are affected by atrial fibrillation. For the over 85-year-
`olds, that figures increases to 20 percent. When younger people experience atrial fibrilla-
`tion, it is often
` a symptom of some other heart valve disorder. Such cases should always be
`checked by a specialist.
`Prompt treatment makes all the difference
`People with
` atrial fibrillation are five times more likely to suffer a stroke. The irregular heart
`activity can
` cause blood clots to form in the heart’s left auricle, which are then distributed
`throughout the body and may block smaller arteries. In the brain, this can lead to the much-
`dreaded stroke. If the irregular heartbeat is ongoing, over time this can also result in cardiac
`insufficiency (heart failure). That is why untreated atrial fibrillation leads to increased mortal-
`ity, hospital admissions and, of course, reduced quality of life.
`Three kinds of atrial fibrillation
`Depending on
` when the condition arises, how long it lasts and whether it can be reversed, it
`is referred to as either paroxysmal, persistent or permanent atrial fibrillation.
`1. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
`Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
` is self-limiting and hardly noticeable. It usually comes and goes
`by itself. Patients normally have a sinus rhythm and the fibrillation only occurs sporadically.
` However, it can also show very pronounced symptoms.
`2. Persistent atrial fibrillation
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`Atrial fibrillation (part 1) – When the heart loses its rhythm | Hirslanden Switzerland
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`The development of persistent atrial fibrillation is more complex and the heart usually does
`not resume a normal sinus rhythm by itself. A sinus rhythm can however be restored by
`means of a ‘conversion
`’, which involves various medications or interventions.
`3. Permanent atrial fibrillation
`Permanent atrial fibrillation
` can no longer be reversed. It is only possible to treat the result-
`ing complications, so for instance patients are given blood thinning medication to prevent
`strokes and their heart rate is monitored to prevent an excessively fast heartbeat.
`Find out more about the possible treatments in the second part of this blog post
`More information about cardiovascular health and heart surgery is available from Heart
`Article from PD Dr. med. Sacha P. Salzberg, specialist in cardiothoracic vascular surgery at
`Heart Clinic Hirslanden.
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