What causes atrial fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is caused by chaotic electrical signals in the atria (upper chambers of the heart) that override the normal rhythm. Common causes include: high blood pressure (found in 60-80% of AFib patients), heart valve disease, heart failure, coronary artery disease, thyroid disorders, sleep apnea, excessive alcohol use, obesity, and genetic predisposition. AFib may also occur after cardiac surgery (postoperative AFib affects 30-50% of cardiac surgery patients).
The complete answer.
AFib is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, affecting an estimated 6 million Americans. It increases stroke risk 5-fold — anticoagulation therapy (blood thinners) reduces this risk by 60-70%. Treatment options include rate control (medications to slow heart rate), rhythm control (medications or ablation to restore normal rhythm), catheter ablation (70-80% success rate for paroxysmal AFib), and surgical ablation (Maze procedure, 90-95% success rate). The choice between rate and rhythm control should be individualized based on symptoms, AFib duration, and patient preferences.
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