Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common irregularity of the heartbeat, affecting at least 35 million people worldwide according to the latest figures. The first known report of an irregular pulse was made by Jean-Baptiste de Senac in 1749, and it was first documented by ECG in 1909 by Thomas Lewis, shortly after Willem Einthoven recorded the first ECG. The disorder originates in the upper chambers of the heart, known as the atria, hence the name “atrial” fibrillation.
The rapid, irregular, and uncontrolled contractions of these chambers are referred to as “fibrillation.” When this arrhythmia persists for extended periods, it can cause enlargement of the atria, and the poor contractions lead to blood stagnation. This, in turn, may result in clot formation, especially in the left atrial appendage—a finger-like projection.
In some patients, AF occurs in episodes, with long periods of normal heart rhythms between them. This is termed paroxysmal AF. When the arrhythmia persists, it is known as permanent AF.
The prevalence of AF increases with age. Around 0.1% of people under 50 years old are affected, while 4% of individuals between 60 and 70 years, and 14% of those over 80 years, experience it.
AF is thus a common issue in the elderly population. Various underlying diseases are often associated with AF, including high blood pressure, valvular heart diseases, heart attacks, diabetes, chronic lung diseases, and congenital heart defects. However, in about half of AF pa.