Atrial flutter is a common health condition in which the heart’s upper chambers or atria pound quickly and consistently. It can also cause the lower chambers to beat faster but not as fast as the upper chambers. If left untreated, atrial flutter may harm the heart muscles and increase the risk of complications like strokes and blood clots. This post discusses the disorder’s common types, signs, causes, and treatment options.

Types
The three most common types of atrial flutter are detailed below:

• Typical
  It is the most common kind, where abnormal electrical signals move in a counterclockwise direction in the right atrium.
• Reverse typical
  Here, the abnormal electrical signals go clockwise in the right atrium.
• Atypical
  In this type, abnormal electrical signals may occur in the right or left atrium. It is uncommon unless the individual has undergone ablations or heart surgery.

Symptoms and complications
Those with this health condition might not experience any symptoms. However, discomforts like dizziness, a fast pulse, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chest pain, lightheadedness, and a lack of energy should not be ignored as these could be triggered by atrial flutter.

If ignored, the condition can affect the working of the heart. It can lead to the formation of blood clots, increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke. A fast pulse can also weaken the heart muscle. Further, it can prevent the ventricles from filling with blood, leading to less blood pumping by the heart. Less blood supply can, in turn, cause a drop in blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart failure.

Causes and risk factors
Researchers are not sure what causes the heart’s upper chambers to beat faster than usual. They suspect it could be due to damage to the heart, its electrical system, or other body parts linked to the organ. The following factors can increase one’s risk of developing the disorder:

• Heart conditions and treatments
  Conditions like low blood flow to the heart, high blood pressure, heart valve disorders, heart attack, a blood clot in the lungs, heart muscle disease, and high blood pressure can raise the risk of atrial flutter. Treatments like cardiac ablation and heart surgery can also increase its likelihood.
• Other conditions
  Other conditions that can increase one’s risk are hyperthyroidism, untreated sleep apnea, blood clots, diabetes, and chronic lung diseases.
• Excess caffeine consumption
  Consuming too much caffeine in the form of tea and coffee can increase one’s risk of the disorder.

If someone at risk of atrial flutter starts experiencing its symptoms, they should visit a health expert to determine the cause. Doctors recommend blood tests, echocardiograms, and pulmonary function tests to diagnose the condition. An electrocardiogram may also be suggested to evaluate the type of atrial flutter.

Treatment options
Doctors use various treatments to reduce the speed at which the heart’s upper chambers pound depending on the patient’s age, level of physical fitness, and other factors. The healthcare provider may recommend one or a combination of the following procedures:

• Electric cardioversion
  In this procedure, electrode patches are applied to the patient’s chest. These patches deliver a mild electrical shock to regularize abnormal heart rhythms.
• Cardioverter defibrillator
  A cardioverter defibrillator or ICD is a tiny device placed under the skin that monitors heart rate. It can also deliver an electric shock to correct abnormal heart rhythms.
• Catheter ablation
  It is a minimally invasive procedure that aims to destroy the tissues that cause the abnormal signals. Complications from ablation therapy are rare, but there is a possibility of bleeding, infection, and injury to the blood vessel.

Prevention
To prevent atrial flutter, individuals must treat the conditions that increase its risk, such as thyroid, heart valve disorders, coronary artery disease, a congenital disability in the heart, and obstructive sleep apnea. In addition, one should go for regular follow-ups to ensure these ailments do not worsen. Moreover, those in the high-risk category should visit a healthcare provider on experiencing fast heartbeats even at rest. This count may be 150 beats per minute or more.

Atrial flutter is a type of heart rhythm disorder similar to atrial fibrillation. If left untreated, it may lead to heart failure or stroke. Thus, it becomes essential to keep up with the appointments with the healthcare provider. They can diagnose it and recommend treatments and procedures to normalize the heartbeat. The expert may also recommend lifestyle and nutritional changes to support ongoing treatment and speed up recovery. While at the clinic, patients should clarify their doubts regarding the disease and steer clear of misconceptions.