Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial Fibrillation (pronunciation: AY-tree-uhl fib-rih-LAY-shun) is a medical condition characterized by an irregular and often rapid heart rate that can increase the risk of stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications.
Etymology
The term "Atrial Fibrillation" is derived from the Latin words "atrium" meaning the upper chambers of the heart, and "fibrillare" meaning to quiver or twitch.
Definition
Atrial Fibrillation is a type of cardiac arrhythmia, a condition where the heart beats irregularly. In Atrial Fibrillation, the heart's two upper chambers (the atria) beat chaotically and irregularly, out of coordination with the two lower chambers (the ventricles). This can lead to blood pooling and clotting in the atria, increasing the risk of stroke.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation may include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and weakness. However, some people with Atrial Fibrillation have no symptoms and are unaware of their condition until it's discovered during a physical examination.
Related Terms
- Arrhythmia: A condition in which the heart beats with an irregular or abnormal rhythm.
- Stroke: A medical condition in which poor blood flow to the brain results in cell death.
- Heart Failure: A chronic condition in which the heart doesn't pump blood as well as it should.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Atrial Fibrillation
- Wikipedia's article - Atrial Fibrillation
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