Cardiology

Word Break Down

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial

Suffix: -al = pertaining to

Prefix: N/A

Combing Word: arti/o =atrium ( upper heart chamber)

Fibrillation

Suffix: -ation = a process; being or having

Prefix: N/A

Combing Word: fibril/o = muscle fiber; nerve fiber

Medical Meaning- Irregular or often rapid heart beat that causes poor blood flow through the body

Introduction

According to Truley 2012, Mayo Clinic 2013 & WebMD 2013 atrial fibrillation occurs when the hearts two upper chambers (atria) beat irregularly and out of rhythm with the bottom two chambers (ventricles) of the heart.

Etiology

According to Truley 2012, Mayo Clinic 2013 & WebMD 2013 atrial fibrillation can be caused by many things. Such as high blood pressure, heart attacks, an abnormal heart valve, congenital, an overactive thyroid gland or a metabolic imbalance, also it could be an exposed to stimulants, stress, viral infections, previous heart surgery or if a person has sick syndrome or any type of lung disease.

Also, there are multiple risk factors, one being age; heart issues; drinking alcohol; high blood pressure; run in the family.

Signs & Symptoms

Some symptoms to look out for is an decrease in blood pressure; weakness; confusion; lightheadedness; shortness of breath and chest pain. If a person should have any of these symptoms they should either make an doctor’s appointment or go to the emergency room, but if a person has chest pain do not wait around for the doctor go to the hospital and get checked out.( Mayo Clinic, 2013) (WebMD, 2013)

Diagnostics

The diagnostics for atrial fibrillation are not invasive. For instance, one diagnostic for atrial fibrillation is an electrocardiogram (ECG)...