Disorders in the heart's electrical system can lead to arrhythmias, or an abnormal heart rhythm. There are many types of arrhythmias and they're classified by where they occur in the heart and their pattern of abnormality. This segment will explain the arrhythmia known as Atrial Fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is a kind of abnormal heart rhythm or arrhythmia. AFib increases the risk for blood clots. These clots can then travel to the brain, causing a stroke. This is why AFib significantly increases the risk for stroke.
Atrial fibrillation is a condition in which the heart beats in an irregular pattern. It is caused by a problem in the heart's electrical pathways. It can be a sign of heart disease or other health problems that affect the heart.
The body generates electrical impulses that cause the heart to beat. In some people, those electrical impulses don't happen in a normal pattern, which can cause the heart to beat too slowly, too fast or irregularly. A very fast heartbeat can lead to ventricular tachycardia, a potentially life-threatening condition. In patients who are at risk for ventricular tachycardia, doctors often recommend an implantable cardioverter defibrillator or ICD.
