• Book an Appointment
Email: pa@drboonlim.co.uk Call Us 0208 187 9888
HealthFlex
×
  • COVID19
  • Home
  • About Dr. Lim
  • Heart Conditions
    • Palpitations
    • Ectopic beats
    • Atrial Fibrillation
    • Atrial Flutter
    • Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
    • Vasovagal Syncope
  • Reviews
    • Case Study
  • Book Appointment
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Videos
    • Books
  • Contact

What is the difference between atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation?

January 1, 2021ahsanMedical ArticlesNews

Atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation are both heart rhythm abnormalities, and both these rhythm abnormalities can cause symptoms of palpitations, shortness of breath and lightheadedness.

Difference Between Atrial Flutter and Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial flutter is a regular rhythm that is due to a fixed distance “short circuit” within the right atrial chamber giving an atrial rate of 300 beats per minute (bpm). This typically gives a heart rate which is directly divisible by 300: for example 150bpm, 100bpm, 75bpm, 60bpm, 50bpm. This heart rate profile in such cases normally looks like a straight line – ie with a single heart rate, often at 150bpm throughout the daytime, and perhaps a little slower at 100bpm or 75pm at night, appearing in “steps”.

In atrial fibrillation, the abnormal circuits are seen within the left atrium. There are multiple circuits with varying cycles within the left atrium, which leads to a characteristic irregularly irregular heart rhythm profile, where heart rates vary immensely from beat to beat. The pulse feels erratic in both the rhythm as well as the strength of each heartbeat, with ranges typically from 90 to 180bpm.

Both heart rhythm abnormalities increase your risk of stroke, and the risk factors for stroke should be considered to guide you on whether you should be taking anticoagulation to prevent a stroke.

Dr Boon Lim (Afib & Atrial Flutter Specialist in London) will be able to provide a throughout assessment through state-of-the-art diagnostic tests, including sleep apnoea screening, and provide a comprehensive treatment plan for atrial fibrillation & atrial flutter, including catheter ablation.
Contact know to arrange an appointment. 

Add Comment Cancel


Recent Posts

  • Nutrition and Diet Tips for Atrial Fibrillation Patients: Foods that Promote Heart Health
  • The Link Between Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Health: Prevention and Management
  • Autonomic Dysfunction in Long Covid
  • Impact of Daily Chronic Stress on Heart Health
  • How To Manage Symptoms Of Low Blood Pressure

Categories

  • case study
  • Educational Videos
  • Medical Articles
  • News
  • Uncategorized

Keywords

Atrial Fibrillation Diabetes Diet Exercise Faint Fitness Health Heart Failure Hydration Medical Obesity Sleep Sleep Apnea Sleep Apnoea Vasovagal Syncope

VOTED BEST CARDIOLOGIST LONDON

Dr Lim is an experienced Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist. He is the clinical lead for the nationally-renowned Imperial Syncope Diagnostic Service based at Hammersmith Hospital London.

+44 0208 187 9888

pa@drboonlim.co.uk

One Welbeck Heart Health

Hammersmith Hospital

Bupa Cromwell Hospital

LATEST NEWS

  • Nutrition and Diet Tips for Atrial Fibrillation Patients: Foods that Promote Heart Health Sep 5

    Your heart beats about 100,000 times a day. It is...

  • The Link Between Atrial Fibrillation and Heart Health: Prevention and Management Aug 29

    Atrial fibrillation (AF) has a significant impact on the heart’s...

  • Autonomic Dysfunction in Long Covid Apr 5

    In the wake of Covid, a significant proportion of patients...

Copyright ©2020 All Rights Reserved | DISCLAIMER | Privacy Policy
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Go to mobile version