"Is Atrial Fibrillation Characterized by a Heart Rate Greater Than the Pulse Rate?"

Atrial Fibrillation: An Overview

Atrial fibrillation (AF), a type of cardiac arrhythmia, involves irregular electrical activity within the atria of the heart, leading to uncoordinated contractions and consequently irregular heart rate. In AF, the atria contract at a rapid pace, but since these contractions do not follow a normal rhythm, the ventricular contraction rate does not align perfectly with that of the atria. Consequently, it is common to observe a heart rate that exceeds the pulse rate in AF patients.

AF can stem from various causes, with heart diseases being the most prevalent, such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, and cardiomyopathy. Additional factors that may contribute to AF include hyperthyroidism, lung diseases, alcoholism, and adverse drug reactions.

Symptoms associated with AF include palpitations, chest tightness, shortness of breath, dizziness, and fatigue. In severe cases, it may lead to complications like heart failure and stroke. Therefore, prompt treatment and disease management are crucial for AF patients.

Treatment modalities for AF encompass medication, electrical cardioversion, pacemaker implantation, and surgical interventions. AF, as a prevalent cardiac arrhythmia, results in a heart rate exceeding the pulse rate due to the rapid but disorganized contractions of the atria, which do not synchronize with the ventricular contractions.

For AF patients, timely intervention and disease control are paramount to maintaining optimal health outcomes.