Q. How is atrial flutter different from atrial fibrillation?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation are two different types of arrhythmias, which are abnormal heart rhythms. Although they can have similar symptoms such as feeling weak or faint, there are several important differences between them.
Atrial flutter is an abnormality in the electrical signal that causes the atria to beat too fast and irregularly; it is characterized by a characteristic saw-tooth pattern on an electrocardiogram reading called “F” waves which represent a rapid succession of small contractions. This type of arrhythmia usually requires anticoagulation (blood thinners) therapy due to its high risk for stroke formation if left untreated.
Atrial fibrillation is a very rapid heartbeat caused by chaotic electrical signals in the upper chambers of the heart (atria). The rhythm tends to be erratic with no clearly defined P waves on ECG readings. During this condition, blood may not pump adequately out from the atria causing pooling and clot formation resulting in high risk for stroke development if left untreated especially if combined with other factors such as age >75 years old . Unlike Atrial Flutter, treatment options do not necessarily require anticoagulant therapy but instead focus on maintaining a normal sinus rhythm with medications or catheter ablation/rhythm control strategies when indicated.
In summary, both Atrial Flutter and Atrial Fibrillation can present with similar symptoms however it’s important to distinguish between them so that proper diagnosis and treatment can be initiated promptly to reduce risks associated with these conditions.
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