What is atrial fibrillation? Atrial fibrillation, or AF, is one of the most common cardiac arrhythmias. The incidence of AF increases with age and can be as high as 10% in people over the age of 75. In atrial fibrillation, the heart not only beats much faster than normal, but it is absolutely uneven and the atria lose their effective contraction. How is atrial fibrillation caused? Atrial fibrillation is mainly caused by the following etiologies: rheumatic heart valve disease, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, hypertension, constrictive pericarditis, pulmonary heart disease, congenital heart disease, pathological sinus node syndrome, pre-excitation syndrome and hyperthyroidism. Some patients with idiopathic atrial fibrillation have no underlying cause. What discomfort is experienced after the onset of AF? Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is characterized by palpitations, shortness of breath, precordial discomfort and anxiety. In combination with coronary artery disease, vertigo and even syncope may occur, and sometimes psychological failure and shock may occur. The main symptoms of persistent atrial fibrillation are palpitations, shortness of breath, and a significant increase in ventricular rate after activity. What are the dangers of atrial fibrillation? Thrombosis and embolism are the most serious risks of atrial fibrillation. In atrial fibrillation, the atria lose their contraction function, so the blood is easily stagnated in the heart and forms thrombus. The thrombus can be dislodged and the blood can reach all over the body, leading to cerebral embolism (stroke), arterial embolism of the limbs (in serious cases, even amputation is required), etc. How is atrial fibrillation treated? There are two main types of treatment: pharmacological and non-pharmacological. Non-pharmacological treatment in turn mainly includes radiofrequency ablation, cardiac surgery labyrinth surgery, and electrical resuscitation therapy.