Description

Atrial flutter is a type of disorder of the heart rhythm, called an arrhythmia. It is similar to atrial fibrillation (AFib). But in atrial flutter the heart rate is more organized and less chaotic in atrial fibrillation. A person can have both atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation.

Atrial flutter may not cause symptoms. But some people can have a palpitation, tachycardia and chest pain. Fainting or near fainting may also occur. Treatment for atrial flutter may include medication and a heart operation.

Symptoms

People with atrial flutter may not have symptoms. The irregular beat of the heart may be found during a health examination for another reason.

If the atrial flutter symptoms do occur, they can include:

  • A pounding or racing feeling in the chest.
  • Pain in the chest.
  • Fainting or nearly fainting.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Feeling very tired.

When to see a doctor

If you feel that your heart is beating, fluttering, skipping a beat or beating too fast, to make an appointment for a health checkup. You might see a physician skilled in diseases of the heart, called a cardiologist.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these symptoms:

  • Pain in the chest.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Fainting.

Always call 911 or the local emergency number if you think that you could be having a heart attack.

Causes

The changes in the heart's electrical system causes atrial flutter. The heart's electrical system controls the heart beat. Some health conditions or heart surgery can change the shape of electrical signals that travel through the heart and cause atrial flutter.

The movement of the heart signals that cause the heart to contract and pump blood. Usually, this process is carried out smoothly. The typical resting heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute. But in atrial flutter, the upper chambers of the heart beat too fast. This causes the heart to beat quickly, but are usually organized, in a way.

Risk factors

Some health conditions that increase the risk of atrial flutter. They include:

  • Heart failure.
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also called COPD.
  • Blood clot in the lungs, called a pulmonary embolism.
  • Condition of the heart that are present at birth is called a congenital defect of the heart.

Other risk factors for atrial flutter are:

  • Aging.
  • Recent heart surgery.

Complications

A complication of atrial flutter is atrial fibrillation (AFib). Around half of people with atrial flutter obtain of atrial fibrillation in the term of three years. Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of blood clots and strokes.

Other complications of atrial flutter are:

  • Heart failure.
  • Stroke.
  • Heart attack.

Prevention

Lifestyle changes help to keep the heart healthy. Try these tips for a healthy heart:

  • Do not smoke.
  • Eat healthy foods, like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Eat less salt and saturated fats.
  • Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Use less or non-use of caffeine and alcohol.
  • Reduce and manage stress.
  • Control of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
  • Sleep well. Adults should try to get 7 to 9 hours a day.

Diagnosis

To diagnose atrial flutter, a health care professional examines and listen to your heart. A member of your care team to taking the blood pressure. Normally, they will be asked about your symptoms, health habits, and medical history.

Tests

You may have tests to check your heart and seek the health conditions that can cause irregular heart beats. Tests for atrial flutter may include:

  • The laboratory tests. Blood and urine tests are done to look for health conditions or substances that can affect the heart, or the beat of the heart. If your health care team thinks that you have atrial flutter, you may have blood tests to check your liver, thyroid, and kidneys.
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). This quick test checks the electrical activity of the heart. You can show the rapidity or slowness with which the heart is beating. Sticky patches called sensors attached to the chest and, at times, the arms or the legs. The cables connect the patches to a computer, which displays or prints the results.
  • Holter Monitor. This portable ECG device can be used for a day or more, to record the heart's activity during daily activities.
  • Event recorder. This portable ECG device is worn for up to 30 days or until an irregular heartbeat or symptoms. Normally you press a button when symptoms occur.
  • Implantable loop recorder. If an irregular heartbeat symptoms do not occur very often, this device can be placed under the skin in the chest area. The device continuously records the electrical activity of the heart. You can find the irregular rhythms of the heart.
  • The echocardiogram. This test uses sound waves to take images of the beating heart. Shows the structure of the heart and heart valves. It also shows how the blood flows through the heart.
  • The stress tests. These tests often involve walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bike while the activity of the heart is activated. The tests show how the heart responds to exercise. If you can't do the exercise, you can receive a drug that increases the heart rate as you exercise. Sometimes an echocardiogram is done during a stress test.
  • Computed tomography of the lungs. You may need this test to check if a blood clot in the lungs, which can cause atrial flutter.
  • Electrophysiology (EP) study. This test shows where incorrect heart start signals in the heart. A doctor moves one or more flexible tubes through a blood vessel, usually in the groin, the different areas in the heart. Sensors at the tips of the tubes and record the electrical signals of the heart.

Treatment

Atrial flutter treatment depends on your general state of health and the severity of the symptoms. Treatment may include medicines, or with a heart procedure.

Drugs

If you have atrial flutter, your health care professional may give you medicines to:

  • Control the speed of the heartbeat.
  • Restore the heart rhythm.
  • Prevent blood clots if you also have atrial fibrillation.

Surgeries or other procedures

If the medicine does not control atrial flutter, a heart doctor you can try to re-establish your heart rate using a procedure called cardioversion.

Cardioversion can be done in two ways:

  • Electrical cardioversion. Paddles or patches on the chest to send electric shocks to the heart to reset its rhythm. This treatment is commonly used for people with problems of atrial flutter. After electrical cardioversion, you may need medications to control the heart rate during the rest of your life.
  • Pharmacologic cardioversion. Drugs intravenously or by mouth is used to reset the heart rhythm.

Cardioversion is usually done in a hospital as a scheduled procedure. But it can be done in emergency situations.

Radiofrequency ablation is another treatment for atrial flutter. Your heart doctor may suggest this treatment if you have repeated attacks of atrial flutter. But it can be used at other times. The treatment uses a thin, flexible tubes called catheters heat and energy to create small scars on the heart. The cardiac signals cannot pass through the scars. As well the scars block faulty electrical signals that cause the irregular heartbeat.

Radiofrequency ablation has been shown to improve health-related quality of life of persons with atrial flutter.

Symptoms and treatment of Atrial flutter