Atrial Flutter
By: Robert NamTotal Views: 221, Word Count: 801,
Atrial flutter is an abnormality, which is caused due to heart rhythm disorder. Sometimes, it results in rapid and irregular heartbeat. Such abnormalities in the heartbeat are known as arrhythmias. Atrial flutter is one of the common diseases among older people.
During atrial flutter, the contraction of heart becomes very fast because of which, blood is not pumped properly to the ventricles. The atrio-ventricular node cannot conduct electrical impulses at a fast rate. This results in allowing only few impulses to get through. The ventricle beats very slowly than atria but in rare cases it beats fast to fill it completely. In this situation, heart may tend to pump inefficiently which might result in heart failure.
Causes of atrial flutter:-
Atrial flutter is caused due to the abnormalities of the heart or due to any other disease, which affects the heart. In few people, no cause is found for the atrial flutter.
Heart diseases or abnormalities that lead to atrial flutter are.
- Slow flow of blood to the heart due to heart attack, coronary heart disease, and hardening of the arteries.
- Abnormalities of heart valves i.e. mitral valve
- High blood pressure(hypertension)
- Cardiomyopathy or congestive heart failure.
- Enlarged chamber of heart
Other diseases, which affect the heart and leads to atrial flutter are-
1. Overactive thyroid gland
2. Pulmonary embolism
3. Chronic lung Disease, pulmonary heart disease
Substances which can cause atrial flutter are
1. Alcohol
2. Diet pills
3. Cocaine, caffeine
4. Cold medicines
Symptoms of Atrial Flutter :-
Some people might not have any symptoms for the atrial flutter whereas; some people might have the following symptoms for the atrial flutter.
- Rapid heart beat
- Fluttering feeling in a chest
- Anxiety
- Weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Fainting
- Chest or heart pain
Diagnosis for Atrial Flutter:-
Atrial flutter may occur at an unpredictable time. Therefore, it requires a specialized test to acquire an accurate diagnosis for the same. If your doctor suspects that you have an atrial flutter, then he will order you to perform the following diagnostic test.
Electrocardiogram:- ECG (electro cardio gram) records the heart electrical activity. Small patches called electrodes are placed on the chest, arm, and legs, and are connected by wires to the ECG machine. The electrical impulses of the heart are translated into a graph or chart, which enables the doctors to determine the pattern of electrical current flow in the heart.
Electrophysiology(EP):- In an EP study, doctors insert a special electrode catheter in veins and guide them to heart. These catheters sense the electrical impulses and stimulate the different areas of the heart. After this study, doctor can easily locate the site of atrial flutter. This test gives more accurate and detailed information than any other diagnostic test.
Holter monitor:- Holter monitor is a small portable machine, which you can wear for about 24 hrs. You can keep a check on the symptoms and activities of the person. This monitor may detect the arrhythmias, which might not have seen while performing the electrocardiogram test, which is able to record the heartbeat in a few seconds.
Exercise stress test:- Exercise stress test records the electrical activity of the particular person while doing the exercise. Obviously, this is different from the heart electrical activity during rest.
Treatment of Atrial Flutter:-
The treatment of the atrial flutter depends on the condition and on the result of the various diagnostic tests. Your doctor will decide which treatment is better for you. The following treatments may be considered for the atrial flutter.
- Cardio version
- Catheryer radiofrequency ablation
- Surgery
- Medical device
- Medications
- In addition, life style changes, which include regular exercise, healthy heart diet, low fat diet, quit smoking, stress relief, meditation, relaxation therapies, controlled diabetes, and controlled cholesterol level.
The above mentioned information should be kept in mind by the patient of atrial flutter. The above information will surely help you in knowing about atrial flutter.
About the Author
Dr. Robert Nam is a well known heart specialist and has done postgraduate training in cardiology at the national heart hospital, the London chest hospital and UCL hospital, London. He was also engaged in research at the national heart and lung institute. Nowadays he is working as a consultant cardiologist at UCL hospital, London.
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