Difference between Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter
What is Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Flutter?
To simplify in an easy way is that both of these terms refer to heart conditions that are somewhat common. Both are forms of abnormality of the heart. Atrial Fibrillation is also known as Afib.
How are they different?
As mentioned, they are both forms of abnormality of the heart. Here is a comprehensive list explaining the major differences:
- Atrial flutter is a heart condition in which the rhythm of the heart is abnormal and irregular wherein Atrial Fibrillation is a condition when the heart beats at a very fast pace, the rhythm is normal but the pace is very fast.
- Atrial Flutter is a less severe heart condition than Afib. A person suffering from Atrial Flutter can, if not treated, effectively develop Afib.
- The symptoms of Atrial Flutter are less severe and easily controlled as compared to Afib.
- Although both conditions are very similar, with Atrial Flutter, the electrical impulses are irregular but still organized. Afib condition, the electrical impulses to the heart are way chaotic and unorganized that makes it more serious.
- What might surprise some is that although it seems Atrial Flutter is less severe but it is still a less common condition in patients where as Atrial Fibrillation is more commonly found in people.
- Atrial Flutter has more percentage of getting cured with radiofrequency ablation, whereas the case is not the same with Atrial Fibrillation.
- The reason why radiofrequency ablation is successful in Atrial Flutter because it is able to destroy the tiny area generating the abnormal electrical impulse. Whereas this procedure isn’t quite as successful in treating Afib because it is more difficult to locate and destroy all the trouble spots triggering the problem.
Symptoms and Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation
Both conditions are heart related and there is not an easy way to say that everything related to the heart is a serious condition. It is extremely important that the heart condition gets diagnosed in time and once that is done, a proper course of treatment is followed. Once you know your heart condition, make sure to follow the doctor’s instructions to ensure a healthy lifestyle.