What does atrial fibrillation mean?

Atrial fibrillation, or AF, is a type of cardiac arrhythmia in which rapid, disorganized waves of fibrillation replace the regular, orderly electrical activity of the heart. Under normal circumstances, the electrical activity of the heart starts from the sinus node and conducts from the atria to the ventricles. Regular waveforms such as P waves, QRS waves, and T waves can be seen on the ECG. When atrial fibrillation occurs, the regular waveforms disappear and are replaced by a series of atrial fibrillation waves, or f-waves, that are irregular in shape and amplitude and have a frequency of 350 to 600 beats per minute. Atrial fibrillation can be seen in emotional excitement, exercise, heavy drinking and other physiological conditions, but also in coronary heart disease, hypertension, hyperthyroidism and other pathological conditions. Typical symptoms include panic, dyspnea, chest pain, and dizziness. Atrial fibrillation can be complicated by blood clots, syncope, heart failure, etc., and requires active medical treatment. It is recommended that patients seek timely medical treatment and standardize treatment under the guidance of doctors.