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How To Distinguish Between Atrial Fibrillation And Arterial Flutter?
Question: Hi . i have had lone afib for over 12 years. i ha
ve had two echos done. one last year. both normal. all my episodes of afib have converted on their own. longest lasting about 2 hours(that was 12+ years ago). today i noticed a rapid pounding heart rate that lasted no longer than 10 seconds. i was able to get it back to normal by coughing. i am not on any medication as my cardioligist says my afib is so infrejquent and short lasting and converts on its own. my question is are these new episodes afib or flutter? like i said they were rapid pounding. similar to what afib jas felt in the past only in rythm. lasting onky seconds. is this still afib or flutter. it seems to beat around 120 but i havent been able to measure because only last for around 10 seconds. of course this scares me and i know that makes it only worse. any help is appreciated
ve had two echos done. one last year. both normal. all my episodes of afib have converted on their own. longest lasting about 2 hours(that was 12+ years ago). today i noticed a rapid pounding heart rate that lasted no longer than 10 seconds. i was able to get it back to normal by coughing. i am not on any medication as my cardioligist says my afib is so infrejquent and short lasting and converts on its own. my question is are these new episodes afib or flutter? like i said they were rapid pounding. similar to what afib jas felt in the past only in rythm. lasting onky seconds. is this still afib or flutter. it seems to beat around 120 but i havent been able to measure because only last for around 10 seconds. of course this scares me and i know that makes it only worse. any help is appreciated
Brief Answer:
Not possible to detect. please see details.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir
1. Although exact diagnosis of a rhythm disorder is possible only after having a look at the ECG of time of rhythm disturbance, still, I would like to provide you some insight in following XXXXXXX
2. Atrial fibrillation has irregular pulse in which you feel your pulse coming randomly. The volume of pulse felt by you will also vary. However Atrial flutter with variable conduction, frequent VPCs and frequent APCs will also give rise to similar pulse.
3. Classical Atrial flutter will have rapid but regular pulse.
4. Any disorder of rhythm can give rise to pounding heart by virtue of increased rate or excessive filling of heart.
5. It may be an episode of AF/AFl but it not possible to make any guess. If it occurs frequently, you must consult your physician so diagnose it by either holter monitoring or loop recorders or at least start anti-coagulation to prevent thrombo-embolism.
Sincerely
Sukhvinder
Not possible to detect. please see details.
Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir
1. Although exact diagnosis of a rhythm disorder is possible only after having a look at the ECG of time of rhythm disturbance, still, I would like to provide you some insight in following XXXXXXX
2. Atrial fibrillation has irregular pulse in which you feel your pulse coming randomly. The volume of pulse felt by you will also vary. However Atrial flutter with variable conduction, frequent VPCs and frequent APCs will also give rise to similar pulse.
3. Classical Atrial flutter will have rapid but regular pulse.
4. Any disorder of rhythm can give rise to pounding heart by virtue of increased rate or excessive filling of heart.
5. It may be an episode of AF/AFl but it not possible to make any guess. If it occurs frequently, you must consult your physician so diagnose it by either holter monitoring or loop recorders or at least start anti-coagulation to prevent thrombo-embolism.
Sincerely
Sukhvinder
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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