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The sinus node is the heart's natural pacemaker. Within the upper right chamber of the heart (right atrium) is a group of cells called the sinus node. The typical heart has four chambers - two upper chambers (atria) and two lower chambers (ventricles). To understand the causes of A-fib, it may be helpful to know how the heart typically beats. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Causes Chest pain could mean that you're having a heart attack. If you have chest pain, seek immediate medical help. If you have any signs or symptoms of atrial fibrillation, make an appointment with your doctor. Medications are needed to control the heart rate and to prevent blood clots. In this type of atrial fibrillation, the irregular heart rhythm can't be restored. This type of atrial fibrillation is continuous and lasts longer than 12 months. If a person has A-fib symptoms, cardioversion or treatment with medications may be used to restore and maintain a normal heart rhythm. With this type of atrial fibrillation, the heart rhythm doesn't go back to normal on its own. Some people with occasional A-fib need treatment.
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Sometimes symptoms occur for as long as a week and episodes can happen repeatedly. A-fib symptoms come and go, usually lasting for a few minutes to hours. Occasional (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation).Sensations of a fast, fluttering or pounding heartbeat (palpitations).Those who do have atrial fibrillation symptoms may have signs and symptoms such as: Some people with atrial fibrillation (A-fib) don't notice any symptoms.
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However, A-fib may cause a fast, pounding heartbeat (palpitations), shortness of breath or weakness. For many people, A-fib may have no symptoms. A-fib increases the risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.ĭuring atrial fibrillation, the heart's upper chambers (the atria) beat chaotically and irregularly - out of sync with the lower chambers (the ventricles) of the heart. Some or all of these chaotic signals enter the ventricles, causing a fast, irregular heartbeat.Ītrial fibrillation (A-fib) is an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that can lead to blood clots in the heart. In atrial fibrillation, electrical signals fire from many areas in the atria, causing the chambers to beat chaotically. The signal follows a specific path through the upper chambers (atria) and into the lower chambers (ventricles), causing them to squeeze and pump out blood. In a typical heart rhythm, a tiny cluster of cells at the sinus node sends out an electrical signal (sinus node impulse).