Atrial flutter: causes, diagnosis and treatment & bull; hello healthy

Definition

What is atrial flutter?

Atrial flutter is a heart rhythm disorder similar to atrial fibrillation. Atrial flutter occurs when your heart beats rapidly due to too many unusual electrical impulses. The atrial shakes when they try to touch, but the contractions are too fast. In this condition, the atrial can vibrate up to 300 times per minute, whereas normally it only vibrates 60 to 100.

Although in some cases the disease does not cause symptoms, atrial flutter can lead to stroke, heart failure and other complications if not treated promptly.

How common is atrial flutter?

Atrial flutter is a disease that commonly occurs in older adults. Usually, it is easier for men to experience atriall flutter than women.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of atrial flutter?

Some of the typical signs and symptoms of atrial flutter are:

Palpitations (the feeling that the heart is beating or racing)
Dizzy
Lost balance
Feeling sluggish

Other symptoms may occur, namely angina or heart failure. Angina is heart pain caused by a moderately low blood supply. Breathing problems, chest pain, and fainting can co-occur with heart failure.

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What causes atrial flutter?

Various things that can increase risk factors for atriall flutter are:

Alcohol use (especially drinking too much in a short period of time)
Coronary heart disease
History of heart attack
Have had heart bypass surgery
Heart failure or an enlarged heart
Heart valve disease (most commonly the mitral valve)
Hypertension
Take certain drugs
Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
Pericarditis
Sinus syndrome pain

Risk factors

What increases my risk for atrial flutter?

Certain factors that increase your risk of developing atrial flutter are:

Age. The older you are, the greater your risk of developing atrial flutter
Heart disease. Anyone with heart disease - such as heart valve problems, congenital heart disease, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, or a history of heart attack and heart surgery - has an increased risk of atrial flutter
Thigh blood pressure. Having high blood pressure, especially if it's not treated with lifestyle changes or medication use, can increase your risk of atriall flutter
Drinking alcohol. For some people, drinking alcohol can trigger atrial flutter. Drinking large amounts in a short period of time can increase your risk of becoming higher
Family history. An increased risk of atrial flutter can run in some families.

Drugs & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are my treatment options for atrial flutter?

The goals of treatment are to correct the causes of heart rate disorders, slow down the heart rate, prevent blood clots, and maintain a normal heart rate.

Treatment depends on the symptoms and causes. Medications can help control the rate of ventricular contraction and try to restore a normal heart rate (chemical cardioversion). If that doesn't work or the symptoms get worse, the heart is shocked with electrical assistance. This procedure is called electrical cardioversion. The brief electric shock will stop the activity of the heart and make the heart beat to normal again.

If all these steps don't work, a healthcare provider may recommend an electrophysiology (EPS) study. A cardiologist who specializes in heart rate problems can perform this test. EPS can help health care providers decide about other treatment options such as radiofrequency ablation, pacemaker insertion, and surgery.

What are the usual tests for atrial flutter

Health care providers make a diagnosis based on medical history, physical examination, and electrocardiography (EKG). An EKG can determine the electrical conduction system in the heart and can confirm a diagnosis.

In addition, an echocardiography test can also be done. This test can determine atrial movement and detect if there are blood clots in the atria.

Health care providers may also order laboratory tests for other disorders such as an overactive thyroid gland. In addition, the doctor may take x-rays to observe the lungs and heart.