When it comes to the science of heart health, we couldall use some expert information and advice. That's why we've enlisted St.Vincent's Health System the top local sponsor of the Go Red For Womencampaign here in Birmingham to help contribute to The Heart Beat blog. Theirdoctors, nurses and health staff will be providing regular information on avariety of heart health topics. We call it "Expert Corner." Enjoy!
Today's Expert Corner was provided by Dr. Jose Osorio,a cardiac electrophysiologist at the
Today is thefirst in a two-part series on atrial fibrillation, or Afib.
Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal rhythm that occurs in the top chambers of the heart.St. Vincent's Health SystemAfib is anabnormal rhythm that occurs in the top chambers of your heart the atria.
When the heart isin atrial fibrillation, there is fast and chaotic electrical activity in theatria. In other words, instead of the atria having(), the atria goes so fast that there is nomeaningful contraction.
Many impulseswill reach the AV node and that will govern how fast the lower chambers the ventricles,will contract, or how fast your heart beat will be.
On Saturday, we will examine some of thecauses of AFib.
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