Atrial fibrillation is a common disease of the heart. It represents an abnormal heart rhythm. The upper chambers of the heart, called the atria, contract chaotically. This reduces the efficiency of the heart as a blood pump by about 30%. It also favors the formation of blood clots in the atria due to turbulent blood flow. These clots can break off and travel through the large vessels to other organs where they may block smaller vessels. Atrial fibrillation is a major risk factor for stroke.
What is Atrial Fibrillation? - in 29 seconds
Atrial fibrillation is a common disease of the heart. It represents an abnormal heart rhythm. The upper chambers of the heart, called the atria, contract chaotically. This reduces the efficiency of the heart as a blood pump by about 30%. It also favors the formation of blood clots in the atria due to turbulent blood flow. These clots can break off and travel through the large vessels to other organs where they may block smaller vessels. Atrial fibrillation is a major risk factor for stroke.
