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Atrial flutter – symptoms
Atrial flutter, also called atrial fibrillation, is a type of heart arrhythmia that can affect our health and quality of life.Before we move on to the causes and treatment methods, it is worth knowing the main symptoms of this disease.
Typical symptoms of atrial flutter are:
- Heart palpitations
- Irregular heartbeat
- Strong heartbeats
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Fainting
If you experience these symptoms, especially if they occur cyclically or last longer than a few minutes, it is worth consulting your doctor.
Atrial flutter and fibrillation – the difference
Atrial flutter is often confused with atrial fibrillation, but there is an important difference between them.Atrial fibrillation is chaotic, irregular contractions of the atria of the heart, while atrial flutter is regular, rapid contractions of the atria.Both disorders have their own unique symptoms and require different approaches to treatment, so it is important to accurately diagnose the type of arrhythmia.
Atrial flutter – causes
The causes of atrial flutter can be various.One of the main risk factors is age, because the older a person is, the greater the likelihood of developing this condition.Other factors include:
- Heart diseases such as hypertension or coronary artery disease
- Endocrine system diseases, e.g. hyperthyroidism
- Alcohol abuse or drug use
- Presence of other medical conditions, such as diabetes or obesity
- Smoking
Genetics can also play a role in the onset of atrial flutter, so if you have a family history of this arrhythmia, you may want to be especially vigilant.
Atrial flutter – diagnosis
The diagnosis of atrial flutter includes various examinations and tests.Your doctor may order the following procedures:
- An electrocardiogram (ECG), which records the electrical activity of the heart
- Holter monitoring, which involves wearing a portable device for several days to record heart activity in everyday situations
- Echocardiography, which creates an image of the heart using sound waves
- Blood tests to rule out other causes of arrhythmia
Atrial flutter – treatment
Treatment for atrial flutter depends on many factors, including our symptoms, age, general health and the causes of the arrhythmia.Possible treatment options include:
- Antiarrhythmic medications that help control heart rhythm
- Cardioablation, a procedure in which the area of the heart responsible for arrhythmias is removed
- Implantation of a pacemaker, which helps control the heart rhythm
The choice of the appropriate treatment method will be individual and will depend on our medical situation.It is important to monitor regularly and work closely with your doctor to maintain a healthy heart.
Your suggestions
If you suspect or have been diagnosed with atrial flutter, do not hesitate to consult your doctor.Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can significantly improve the quality of life and reduce the risk of complications.
Recommended articles
If you want to learn more about atrial flutter, we recommend you check out our articles on heart health, what diet is right for people with heart arrhythmias, and how to deal with stress that can affect your heart.