Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of arrhythmia with an irregular and often fast heartbeat, affecting 500,000 people in the UK. Normally, the heart beats approximately 60-100 times per minute, whereas in untreated AF, the pulse is often 100-150 beats per minute. Depending upon the duration and severity, AF can be classified into several categories:
In AF, atria (the upper two chambers of the heart) contract randomly and erratically, which does not allow proper filling of the heart with blood, affecting the pumping function similarly to an engine running half-empty. AF symptoms include dizziness, tiredness, shortness of breath and sometimes unpleasant awareness of heartbeats (palpitations). However, many patients may remain asymptomatic, and AF is often diagnosed incidentally during a routine medical check.
AF occurs when abnormal electrical impulses override the heart's natural pacemaker (sinus node), losing control over the heart, leaving it to beat irregularly. Gradually, over time the electric and mechanical properties of the heart muscle change (remodelling), perpetuating the arrhythmia.
AF can affect any adult at any age, but it is more common in men and the elderly. AF affects 10% of the population above 75 years of age. AF is common in high blood pressure, valve disease and coronary artery disease. AF can be triggered by hyperactive thyroid and excessive alcohol intake, especially in combination with heavy physical exercise. Interestingly, AF is also relatively common among endurance athletes.
The most feared complication of AF is a stroke. Irregular heartbeat in AF leads to sluggish blood flow in the upper heart chambers. The stagnation of blood predisposes to the formation of small blood clots. If the blood clots get dislodged from the heart, they may get stuck in the brain's small vessels. The blood clots then block off the oxygen supply to the brain and lead to ischaemic stroke.
The risk of stroke can be quantified with the CHA2DS2-VASc score. This acronym comprises risk factors: congestive heart failure, age>75 years, diabetes, stroke/TIA, vascular disease, age>65 and sex category, i.e. female gender. Each risk factor counts for 1 point, only age>75 and history of stroke/TIA count for 2 points. Treatment with blood-thinning medication (anticoagulation) is usually recommended in CHA2DS2-VASc score 1 or more in men and 2 or more in women.
AF may also precipitate heart failure and angina through the uncoordinated contraction of the heart muscle and reduced cardiac output.
AF is not an immediately life-threatening condition; however, it causes unpleasant symptoms, increases the risk of stroke and long-term mortality. Patients with atrial fibrillation need basic blood tests to rule out low blood count (anaemia), infection, impaired kidney function and hyperactive thyroid. An echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) is usually carried out to exclude an underlying structural problem.
Medication in AF is used to control heart rate (beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, digoxin), heart rhythm (antiarrhythmics, e.g. flecainide, dronedarone, amiodarone) and to reduce risk of stroke (anticoagulants, i.e. blood-thinning medicines, i.e. warfarin or one of the new oral anticoagulant drugs, NOACs, such as apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban and dabigatran).