Atrial flutter is one of the most common disturbances of the heart’s rhythm. After atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter is the second most prevalent heart arrhythmia. It is an abnormal heart rhythm that begins in the upper chambers of the heart. In this case, the heart is beating too fast. Atrial flutter can make your heart’s upper chambers beat about three hundred times a minute; this causes your lower chambers to beat fast as a response.
People who suffer from atrial flutter may have no symptoms or present with symptoms such as:
Palpitations
Rapid heart rate
Chest pain
Lightheadedness
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Low blood pressure
Passing out
People who suffer from atrial flutter may have no symptoms or present with symptoms such as:
Palpitations
Rapid heart rate
Chest pain
Lightheadedness
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Low blood pressure
Passing out
Electrocardiography (a simple test to examine the rhythm and electrical activity of the heart using skin-attached sensors to detect the electrical signals produced by the heart each time it beats).
Echocardiography (it is a type of ultrasound scan that is used to examine the heart muscle and surrounding blood vessels).
Laboratory tests (laboratory evaluation of abnormal thyroid function, anemia, etc.)
Lung function test (Lung illness and the prevalence of atrial arrhythmias, especially atrial flutter, are related. Control of the atrial flutter can be improved by treating the underlying lung disease).
Slowing the fast heart rate (your cardiologist may prescribe one or a combination of these medications, diltiazem, metoprolol, digoxin)
Rhythm control (Ex: procainamide, propafenone)
Decreasing the stroke risk (your cardiologist may prescribe one of these medications, warfarin, rivaroxaban, apixaban, aspirin, or heparin)
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