ATRIAL FIBRILLATION SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
ATRIAL fibrillation (AF), the world's most common arrhythmia, encountered in third of hospital admissions for cardiac rhythm disturbances. Before learning about its prevalence, lets understand what is AF. AF is defined or described as an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that begins in the upper chamber of the heart (which is called as atria). In AF patients, the normal cycle of electrical impulses is interrupted leading to a fast, chaotic heart rhythm and poor movement of blood from atria to lower chambers (ventricles). AF often goes undetected and is associated with an increased risk of blood clots and stroke. It has been estimated that five? million Indians are affected by AF, based on ageing of the Indian population. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus and coronary heart diseases are the most common contributing risk factors for AF in Indians. Ac- cording to the reports from a recent study published in renowned journal, AF is an important risk factor for stroke, which plagues an ...