People with AF are at increased risk of stroke because the irregularly beating atria are prone to developing blood clots. ![]() A stroke can occur when an artery in the brain is blocked by a blood clot (embolus). More persistent types of AF are associated with an increased risk of stroke. This is known as ‘permanent AF’, ‘sustained AF’ or ‘chronic AF’. persistent – the heart beats irregularly all the time.occasional – the heart is prone to repeat episodes of irregular beating, for short periods of time.one-off – the heart has a single episode of irregular beating (this is sometimes due to excessive alcohol intake).irregular heartbeat (detected by checking the pulse).sensations of a ‘fluttering’ heartbeat (palpitations).What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation (AF)?Ītrial fibrillation often has no obvious symptoms and can remain undetected for long periods of time. This adversely affects the heart’s ability to pump efficiently and also increases the chance of blood clots being formed in the heart and travelling up to the brain. This distorts the electrical messages sent to the atrioventricular node and causes the ventricles to contract in a fast and irregular manner. In AF, a problem with the sinus node causes the atria to twitch or ‘shiver’ rather than contract. These electrical messages then pass from the sinus node to another area of the heart called the atrioventricular node and cause the bottom two chambers (ventricles) to contract. Electrical messages are sent from the heart’s top two chambers (atria), in an area known as the sinus node (the heart’s ‘pacemaker’). Normally, the heart’s electrical system causes its chambers to contract and relax, following a steady rhythm. AF is a problem with the heart’s pacemaker The increase in the risk of stroke can occur with AF whether or not a person has symptoms of AF. Treatment is important, even if the AF does not present with any symptoms. Symptoms are not always obvious but may include palpitations or a fluttering heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, chest pains, dizziness and fainting spells. ![]() It is uncommon in people under the age of 50 (less than 1 per cent) but common in people over the age of 75 (around 10 per cent of people in this age bracket are affected). ![]() Overall, AF affects around two in every 100 people. AF is the most common arrhythmia of those that last more than a few seconds. This is caused by a distortion of electrical messages that control the steady rhythm of the heart, which we know as the ‘heartbeat’. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a type of arrhythmia, which means that the heart beats in an irregular fashion.
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