beating in a very irregular and fast rhythm. Rather than pumping the normal steady beat that the heart should create through its electrical signals, someone with AFib discovers that those signals have become disorganized, so he or she experiences a really erratic heartbeat. Blood does not flow into the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart) in this situation, with a risk of blood pooling and clotting. This abnormal heart rhythm is not only bothersome; it can lead to serious health complications if treatment for atrial fibrillation is not provided.
The AFib attacks may be different from one another; some patients experience them randomly, and others suffer from persistent abnormal heart rhythms. Though not fatal on its own, left untreated, AFib may cause dangerous complications, including a fivefold increased risk of stroke.
