
Medications to slow the heart, including beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and digoxin Often, you will need a combination of treatments. The best choice will depend on how frequent and severe the problem is, and what other conditions you have. The treatments for AFib and atrial flutter are very similar.
A FLUTTER VS AFIB SKIN
That could include:Ī holter monitor, which is worn for 24 to 48 hoursĪn event monitor, which can be worn for up to a monthĪ tiny monitor implanted under the skin that can later be removedĮven if you’ve never had symptoms of AFib or atrial flutter, your provider might suspect these conditions if you’ve experienced:Īre the treatments for atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation different? If it looks normal, you may need more testing. Your provider will order an EKG to check your heart rhythm. But if you have symptoms of palpitations, it doesn’t always mean that you have AFib or atrial flutter. Many times, AFib and atrial flutter are diagnosed after the person notices palpitations. How are atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter diagnosed? Stimulant drugs, like cocaine or methamphetamineīut it’s important to note that you don't have to have one of these risk factors to have AFib or atrial flutter. Heart valve conditions, like aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitationįamily history (especially Northern European descent) Many of the things that increase your risk for AFib also increase your risk for atrial flutter. What causes atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter? So, if you have either of these conditions, it may not happen all the time. Like AFib, atrial flutter can often come and go. This means that your pulse rate with atrial flutter might seem normal or just a little fast. Not all of the fast electrical signals make it down to the ventricles. So, the atria are beating very fast, instead of quivering.

But unlike AFib, atrial flutter has a more regular pattern. It’s also caused by abnormal electrical signals in the atria. But some people have no symptoms at all.Ītrial flutter is similar to AFib. This in turn causes the ventricles (the heart’s lower chambers) to pump out blood in an irregular pattern. Instead of a rhythmic contraction in a nice regular pattern, the atria quiver.

1–4 of 6 What’s the difference between atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation?ĪFib is caused by fast and irregular electrical signals in the top chambers of the heart.
