Explore the key differences between Atrial Fibrillation vs Flutter, two common Heart rhythm disorders. If you have ever felt your heart racing, skipping, or fluttering, you may have experienced an arrhythmia. An arrhythmia is an abnormal heart rhythm that can affect how well your heart pumps blood throughout your body. Some arrhythmias are harmless and may not cause any symptoms, while others can be serious and even life-threatening.

Two of the most common types of arrhythmias are atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Both of these conditions affect the upper chambers of the heart, called the atria. The atria are responsible for receiving blood from the veins and sending it to the lower chambers, called the ventricles. The ventricles then pump blood to the lungs and the rest of the body.

In this blog, we will explain what atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter are, how they differ from each other, and how they can be treated. We will also provide some tips on preventing these conditions and improving your heart health.

What is Atrial Fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation, or Afib, is the most common type of arrhythmia. It affects about 33 million people worldwide. In AFib, the electrical signals that control the contraction of the atria become chaotic and disorganized. Instead of beating in a regular and coordinated way with the ventricles, the atria quiver or fibrillate rapidly and irregularly.

This means that the atria do not pump blood effectively to the ventricles. Some blood may pool in the atria and form clots that can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. AFib also increases the risk of heart failure, which occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs.

The symptoms of AFib may include:

• Palpitations, or feeling your heart beat fast or irregularly
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain or discomfort
• Fatigue or weakness
• Confusion or difficulty concentrating

Some people with AFib may not have any symptoms at all and may only discover their condition during a routine check-up or a test for another reason.

What is Atrial Flutter?

Atrial flutter, or AFL, is another type of arrhythmia that affects the atria. It is less common than AFib, but it can also cause serious complications if left untreated. In AFL, the electrical signals in the atria are faster than normal, but they follow a regular loop or circuit.

This means that the atria beat regularly, but more often than the ventricles. The heart rate in AFL can be around 150 beats per minute (bpm), compared to a normal range of 60 to 100 bpm. The pulse in AFL can be regular or irregular, depending on how many signals reach the ventricles.

AFL creates a distinctive “sawtooth” pattern on an electrocardiogram (EKG), which is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. An EKG can help diagnose AFL and differentiate it from AFib.

The symptoms of AFL may be similar to those of AFib, such as palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, and confusion. Some people with AFL may also not have any symptoms and may only find out about their condition during a test or an episode of AFib.

How Do Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter Differ? – Atrial Fibrillation vs Flutter

Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter are both types of arrhythmias that affect the atria. They both cause rapid and irregular heartbeats that can reduce blood flow and increase the risk of stroke and heart failure. They both have similar symptoms and risk factors.

However, there are some key differences between these two conditions:

• The electrical signals in AFib are chaotic and disorganized, while those in AFL are faster but regular.
• The heart rate in AFib can range from 100 to 175 bpm, while that in AFL is usually around 150 bpm.
• The pulse in AFib is always irregular, while that in AFL can be regular or irregular.
• The EKG pattern in AFib is irregular and erratic, while that in AFL is regular and sawtooth-shaped.

These differences can help doctors diagnose and treat these conditions more effectively.

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How Are Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter Treated?

The treatment for AFib and AFL has similar goals: to restore the normal rhythm of the heart and to prevent blood clots that can cause stroke or heart attack. The treatment options may include:

• Medications that regulate the heart rate or rhythm, such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, amiodarone, propafenone, flecainide, and others. These drugs can help slow down or normalize the heartbeat and reduce the symptoms of AFib and AFL.
• Blood-thinning medications that reduce the risk of clot formation and stroke, such as non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) or warfarin (Coumadin). These drugs can help prevent blood clots from forming in the atria and traveling to the brain or other organs. They are usually prescribed for people with AFib or AFL who have a high risk of stroke, such as those who are older than 65, have a history of stroke or heart disease, have high blood pressure, diabetes, or other conditions.
• Electrical cardioversion, which is a procedure that delivers a controlled shock to the heart to reset its rhythm. This procedure can be done in a hospital or an outpatient setting. It can help restore the normal rhythm of the heart in some cases of AFib or AFL. However, it may not be effective in preventing future episodes of arrhythmia.
• Catheter ablation, which is a minimally invasive surgery that uses radiofrequency energy to destroy the abnormal electrical tissue that causes the arrhythmia . This procedure can be done in a hospital under general anesthesia. It can cure more than 90% of cases of typical AFL and reduce the recurrence of AFib by more than 50%. However, it may have some risks and complications, such as bleeding, infection, damage to the heart or blood vessels, or stroke .

The choice of treatment for AFib and AFL depends on several factors, such as the type and severity of the arrhythmia, the symptoms and quality of life of the patient, the risk of stroke and bleeding, and the preference and availability of the patient and the doctor . The treatment may also change over time as the condition evolves or new options become available.

How Can You Prevent Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter?

The best way to prevent AFib and AFL is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid or manage the risk factors that can trigger these conditions. Some of the steps you can take to prevent AFib and AFL are:

• Eat a balanced diet that is low in salt, fat, cholesterol, and sugar. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Avoid foods that are processed, fried, or high in sodium or caffeine.
• Exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Choose activities that you enjoy and that suit your fitness level. Consult your doctor before starting any new exercise program.
• Maintain a healthy weight that is appropriate for your height and age. Being overweight or obese can increase your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which can damage your heart and arteries. Losing weight can help lower your risk of AFib and AFL.
• Quit smoking if you are a smoker. Smoking can harm your lungs and blood vessels, which can reduce the oxygen supply to your heart. Smoking can also increase your heart rate and blood pressure, which can trigger AFib and AFL. Quitting smoking can improve your heart health and lower your risk of arrhythmia.
• Limit your alcohol intake if you drink alcohol. Alcohol can interfere with the electrical signals in your heart and cause irregular heartbeats. Alcohol can also dehydrate you and affect your electrolyte balance, which can affect your heart function. Limit your alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
• Manage your stress levels if you are stressed. Stress can increase your heart rate and blood pressure, which can trigger AFib and AFL. Stress can also affect your sleep quality and mood, which can affect your heart health. Find healthy ways to cope with stress, such as meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, hobbies, or talking to someone you trust.
• Get enough sleep if you have sleep problems. Sleep apnea is a common condition that causes pauses in breathing during sleep. This can disrupt the oxygen flow to your heart and brain and cause irregular heartbeats. Sleep apnea can also increase your blood pressure and inflammation levels, which can damage your heart and arteries. If you have sleep apnea or other sleep problems, talk to your doctor about possible treatments.
• Follow your doctor’s advice if you have other medical conditions. Some conditions that can increase your risk of AFib and AFL are high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid problems

The post Atrial Fibrillation vs Flutter: What’s the Difference and How to Treat Them? appeared first on Wellness Hospitals.

The post Atrial Fibrillation vs Flutter: What’s the Difference and How to Treat Them? appeared first on Wellness Hospitals.