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  • Causes Of Atrial Fibrillation  – Medical Science Notes – For W.B.C.S. Examination.
    Posted on November 1st, 2019 in Medical Science
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    Causes Of Atrial Fibrillation – Medical Science Notes – For W.B.C.S. Examination.

    অ্যাট্রিয়েল ফাইব্রিলেশনের কারণ – মেডিকেল সায়েন্স নোট – WBCS পরীক্ষা।

    Atrial fibrillation is an irregular and often rapid heart rate that occurs when the two upper chambers of your heart experience chaotic electrical signals. The result is a fast and irregular heart rhythm. The heart rate in atrial fibrillation may range from 100 to 175 beats a minute. The normal range for a heart rate is 60 to 100 beats a minute.Continue Reading Causes Of Atrial Fibrillation – Medical Science Notes – For W.B.C.S. Examination.

    Your heart is made up of four chambers — two upper chambers (atria) and two lower chambers (ventricles). Within the upper right chamber of your heart (right atrium) is a group of cells called the sinus node. This is your heart’s natural pacemaker. The sinus node produces the signal that normally starts each heartbeat.

    Normally, the signal travels through the two upper heart chambers, and then through a connecting pathway between the upper and lower chambers called the atrioventricular (AV) node. The movement of the signal causes your heart to squeeze (contract), sending blood to your heart and body.

    In atrial fibrillation, the signals in the upper chambers of your heart are chaotic. As a result, they quiver. The AV node — the electrical connection between the atria and the ventricles — is bombarded with impulses trying to get through to the ventricles.

    The ventricles also beat rapidly, but not as rapidly as the atria, as not all the impulses get through.

    Possible causes of atrial fibrillation

    Abnormalities or damage to the heart’s structure are the most common cause of atrial fibrillation. Possible causes of atrial fibrillation include:

    • High blood pressure
    • Heart attack
    • Coronary artery disease
    • Abnormal heart valves
    • Heart defects you’re born with (congenital)
    • An overactive thyroid gland or other metabolic imbalance
    • Exposure to stimulants, such as medications, caffeine, tobacco or alcohol
    • Sick sinus syndrome — improper functioning of the heart’s natural pacemaker
    • Lung diseases
    • Previous heart surgery
    • Viral infections
    • Stress due to surgery, pneumonia or other illnesses
    • Sleep apnea

    However, some people who have atrial fibrillation don’t have any heart defects or damage, a condition called lone atrial fibrillation. In lone atrial fibrillation, the cause is often unclear, and serious complications are rare.

    Atrial flutter

    Atrial flutter is similar to atrial fibrillation, but the rhythm in your atria is more organized and less chaotic than the abnormal patterns common with atrial fibrillation. Sometimes you may have atrial flutter that develops into atrial fibrillation and vice versa.

    The risk factors for and the symptoms and causes of atrial flutter are similar to those of atrial fibrillation. For example, strokes are also a concern in someone with atrial flutter. As with atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter is usually not life-threatening when it’s properly treated.

    Risk factors

    Certain factors may increase your risk of developing atrial fibrillation.

    These include:

    • Age. The older you are, the greater your risk of developing atrial fibrillation.
    • 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 or heart surgery — has an increased risk of atrial fibrillation.
    • High blood pressure. Having high blood pressure, especially if it’s not well-controlled with lifestyle changes or medications, can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation.
    • Other chronic conditions. People with certain chronic conditions such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, chronic kidney disease or lung disease have an increased risk of atrial fibrillation.
    • Drinking alcohol. For some people, drinking alcohol can trigger an episode of atrial fibrillation. Binge drinking may put you at an even higher risk.
    • Obesity. People who are obese are at higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation.
    • Family history. An increased risk of atrial fibrillation is present in some families.

    Complications

    Sometimes atrial fibrillation can lead to the following complications:

    • Stroke. In atrial fibrillation, the chaotic rhythm may cause blood to pool in your heart’s upper chambers (atria) and form clots. If a blood clot forms, it could dislodge from your heart and travel to your brain. There it might block blood flow, causing a stroke.The risk of a stroke in atrial fibrillation depends on your age (you have a higher risk as you age) and on whether you have high blood pressure, diabetes, a history of heart failure or a previous stroke, and other factors. Certain medications, such as blood thinners, can greatly lower your risk of a stroke or the damage to other organs caused by blood clots.
    • Heart failure. Atrial fibrillation, especially if not controlled, may weaken the heart and lead to heart failure — a condition in which your heart can’t circulate enough blood to meet your body’s needs.

    Prevention

    To prevent atrial fibrillation, it’s important to live a heart-healthy lifestyle to reduce your risk of heart disease. A healthy lifestyle may include:

    • Eating a heart-healthy diet
    • Increasing your physical activity
    • Avoiding smoking
    • Maintaining a healthy weight
    • Limiting or avoiding caffeine and alcohol
    • Reducing stress, as intense stress and anger can cause heart rhythm problems
    • Using over-the-counter medications with caution, as some cold and cough medications contain stimulants that may trigger a rapid heartbeat.

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