Atrial flutter is used to describe an abnormal heart rhythm common in adults. This condition originates from the upper atria of the heart beating too fast, thus throwing them out of sync with the lower ventricles of the heart. Atrial flutter shares a lot in common with the even more prevalent atrial fibrillation. Atrial flutter differs from atrial fibrillation in that its pattern is regular, even though both share a common disjointed rhythm. Other medical conditions (such as heart failure, high blood pressure, thyroid dysfunction, alcoholism, and diabetes) can increase your risk in developing atrial flutter. This is why it is important to keep track of your health, particularly when a preexisting condition can affect your heart.
While some individuals may not exhibit symptoms thanks to atrial flutter’s lack of an abnormal electric signal pattern, there are a few key signs of atrial flutter to look out for, including: tachycardia (elevated heart rate); an irregular heart rate; heart palpitations; dizziness; lightheadedness; dyspnea (shortness of breath); fatigue; and the sensation of near-fainting. While atrial flutter is not inherently life threatening, if left untreated, these symptoms of atrial flutter can quickly increase your chances of complications. If the heart is not effectively pumping blood (which is what is happening during prolonged atrial flutter), then your body is more likely to begin forming clots that could lead to a number of more deadly conditions. Understanding the symptoms that go along with atrial flutter and knowing how to recognize them could be the difference between continued health and heart failure.
1. Tachycardia
From the Greek for “swift heart,” tachycardia is, put simply, when your heart rate becomes elevated at rest. You might feel as if your heart is pounding or racing in your chest uncomfortably if you are experiencing tachycardia. During atrial flutter, the electrical impulses in the heart are irregular, which causes the atria to begin beating more quickly (but more weakly) than the ventricles. A normal at-rest heart rate for a healthy adult can be anywhere between 60 and 100 beats per minute. During exercise or periods of high physical activity, it is common for the heart rate to rise above 100. But if your heart rate is over 100 at rest, you are experiencing tachycardia, which could be indicative of a much worse internal health issue.
A fast heart rate can lead to other symptoms, such as lightheadedness, chest pain, and in some cases even fainting. There are a number of causes that can trigger tachycardia, including: heart disease, anemia, increased stress, high blood pressure, fever, and, of course, atrial flutter. The primary danger of tachycardia is that during an episode, the heart is unable to effectively pump oxygenated blood through the circulatory system. At prolonged intervals, this can lead to serious complications.
2. Irregular Heart Rate
An irregular heart rate, or “arrhythmia”, can be a sensation of the heart beating very quickly, almost fluttering, or a “skipped” beat type of feeling. It is also possible that you might not feel anything at all. Arrhythmias are a common occurrence even for a healthy individual, but if you are at risk for heart disease or atrial flutter, or you are concerned that your irregular heart rate might be indicative of something worse, then call your doctor to help rule out any more dangerous conditions. A long-lasting arrhythmia can lead to further cardiac issues, and can result in fainting spells or a sensation of dizziness or increased fatigue.
3. Palpitations
A heart palpitation, which is essentially the sensation of your heart pounding, beating too fast, or giving you a “flipping” sensation in your chest, can be triggered by any form of physical or mental stress (such as exercise, anxiety, or an underlying medical condition). Most of the time, palpitations are completely harmless and nothing to worry over. But in conjunction with other symptoms, or if you are experiencing many heart palpitations over a long stretch of time, then you may need to consult with your doctor. These symptoms can range from general chest pain to shortness of breath, and are warning signs of something possibly worse.
4. Dizziness
Most of us have experienced the sensation of “vertigo” when we stand up too quickly or when looking down from a great height. “Dizziness” is a very general and vague description of a symptom that can cover a variety of feelings, though most of them center around a sense of feeling unsteady. By itself, dizziness is not usually dangerous, but it can be frustrating and difficult to deal with day-to-day. A dizzy spell could be indicative of something as simple as poor circulation or something more life-threatening like atrial flutter. Regardless, if you are experiencing dizziness combined with other symptoms that are affecting your daily routine, call your doctor immediately.
5. Lightheadedness
Lightheadedness, or feeling faint or “fuzzy”, is a fairly common experience amongst adults. Similar to dizziness, lightheadedness by itself is not necessarily dangerous. Unlike dizziness, lightheadedness does not usually come with a feeling of spinning or unsteadiness. Instead, it is more a sensation of slowly losing consciousness. If your lightheadedness lasts more than a few minutes or if it comes with a litany of other symptoms, then it is time to visit your doctor. Lightheadedness can be caused by dehydration, low blood pressure, hunger, or more seriously by heart disease. In terms of atrial flutter, it is possible that your body is not receiving enough oxygenated blood.
6. Dyspnea (Shortness of Breath)
The medical term “dyspnea” is used to describe instances when you feel as if you cannot get enough air into your lungs. The sensation can seem as if you are suffocating or hyperventilating. Shortness of breath is common after physical activity or might be due to obesity. However, if you find yourself struggling for air while participating in what you would consider “normal” everyday activities, most likely you are experiencing some form of medical issue. With atrial flutter, the irregular heart rate which is not pumping sufficient amounts of blood through the body can sometimes cause blood to gather in the lungs and hamper breathing. Visit your doctor to help rule out atrial flutter or other lung and heart related diseases.
7. Fatigue
Being tired is an extremely common complaint amongst adults, and the reasons why someone might be plagued by fatigue are numerous. Most of the time, fatigue can be chalked up to being overworked or mentally stressed. However, if you are experiencing chronic fatigue without any discernible reason and you are concerned about atrial flutter, then it is time to visit the doctor. Fatigue is generally indicative of either an underlying, perhaps untreated medical condition or an unhealthy lifestyle. In order for your doctor to be able to effectively treat you, make sure that you understand what might be triggering your fatigue outside of possible medical conditions.
8. Near Fainting
Dizziness and lightheadedness can lead to a sensation of near-fainting, but the symptom itself is definitely something to keep a close eye on. Near-fainting, or near-syncope, is when a person is brought to the brink of losing consciousness. Leading up to a near-fainting spell, an individual might experience nausea, excessive sweating, or blurred vision. These episodes may be due to overexertion, but they are also indicative of a possible arrhythmia or other heart complications. Atrial flutter causes a lack of properly filtered and circulated blood, which can lead to fainting or near-fainting spells. If you are experiencing near-fainting episodes at an increased rate, seek out your doctor to discuss possible causes.
These eight symptoms are just a few that you could experience if you are suffering from atrial flutter. If you are concerned that you might be experiencing atrial flutter, consult with your doctor to see what you should be doing to improve your health.
