What is atrial fibrillation?

by | Heart Attacks and Strokes

Atrial Fibrillation

So atrial fibrillation is a difficult Greek word that doesn’t mean anything to the layperson. But it’s actually the commonest rhythm disturbance of the heart.

A normal heartbeat is regular, about one beat per second. In atrial fibrillation, the heartbeat becomes irregular and that is associated with risks of breathlessness, palpitations, and if it’s not managed appropriately, it can even cause a stroke.

Professor David Celermajer is Scandrett Professor of Cardiology and Head of Cardiology at the University of Sydney.