However, any arrhythmia, including sinus tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, premature ventricular contractions, or ventricular tachycardia, can cause palpitations. Most patients with arrhythmias do not complain of palpitations. Palpitations-sensations of a rapid or irregular heartbeat-are most often caused by cardiac arrhythmias or anxiety. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing 2022 Jan.
In: Fuster V, Narula J, Vaishnava P, et al. Your provider can help you decide which treatment is best for your situation. They can figure out your risk of stroke and offer solutions to get your heart rhythm back to normal. That’s why it’s important to keep your appointments with your healthcare provider. Without atrial flutter treatment, you could be at risk for a stroke or heart failure. Your heartbeat is usually regular because of organized electrical activity in your atria.Ītrial flutter is one type of fast heart rhythm in the upper part of your heart.Your top chambers beat up to 250 to 350 times a minute, causing your lower chambers to beat rapidly (up to 150 beats a minute or more).Your heartbeat is irregular because of disorganized electrical activity in your atria.Your top chambers (atria) beat up to 400 times a minute, causing your lower chambers to beat rapidly (up to 150 beats a minute or more).If it’s not treated, atrial flutter can actually cause atrial fibrillation and vice versa. Both are types of supraventricular arrhythmia. What is the difference between atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation?Ī lot of people have both atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation. A medical history that includes alcohol use disorder.Other heart issues, like heart failure or a valve issue.You’re at a higher risk of atrial flutter if you’re older, assigned male at birth or you have: What are the risk factors for atrial flutter? Blood clots that can travel and cause a heart attack or stroke.Įlectrical signals that are too frequent cause atrial flutter, making the upper chambers of your heart contract (pump) too often.What are the complications of atrial flutter?
Some people don’t have symptoms of atrial flutter. Your heart pumps less blood, which can make your blood pressure drop and cause heart failure. When your heart beats too quickly, your heart ventricles can’t fill with blood.The fast pulse from atrial flutter can weaken your heart muscle.Blood clots could form, which could cause a stroke or heart attack.When you have atrial flutter, your heart isn’t working as efficiently as it should. Atypical (not common unless you’ve had heart surgery or ablations before): Abnormal electrical signals can happen in your left or right atrium.Ī provider can tell which type of atrial flutter you have based on your electrocardiogram (EKG) results.Reverse typical: Abnormal electrical signals move in a clockwise direction in your right atrium.Typical (most common type): Abnormal electrical signals go in a counterclockwise circle in your right atrium.This causes your heart to pump less blood to your body than normal. Also, there isn’t enough time for your atria (upper chambers) to empty all their blood into your ventricles in the lower part of your heart. Your heart’s chambers can’t fill with blood fast enough because the contractions are too frequent. This causes your lower chambers to beat fast as a response, commonly as fast as 150 beats a minute or more.Ītrial flutter is like an assembly line with the speed set too fast at the line’s first station. Atrial flutter can make your heart’s upper chambers beat 250 to 350 times a minute. With atrial flutter, your heart beats in a fast but consistent pattern.Ī normal heart rate is 60 to 100 beats a minute when you’re at rest. This means it’s an abnormal heart rhythm that starts in the upper chambers of your heart. Atrial flutter is a type of supraventricular arrhythmia.