AF, in medical terms, most commonly stands for atrial fibrillation. It's a type of arrhythmia, meaning an irregular heartbeat. Instead of a normal, steady beat, the heart's atria (the two upper chambers) quiver or beat erratically and rapidly. This irregular rhythm can lead to blood clots, stroke, and other serious complications.
Understanding Atrial Fibrillation (AF or AFib)
Several sources define atrial fibrillation as follows:
- Irregular and often rapid heartbeat: The heart beats irregularly and frequently faster than normal. Mayo Clinic, NHS, Better Health Channel, and the British Heart Foundation all describe AF as an irregular and often fast heart rate.
- Rapid electrical signals in the atria: The irregular heartbeat results from the atria's electrical signals firing rapidly and simultaneously. National Cancer Institute explains this electrical malfunction.
- Increased risk with age: The likelihood of developing atrial fibrillation increases significantly with age. This is noted in the provided summary text.
- Associated risk factors: Conditions like high blood pressure, heart valve diseases, and hyperthyroidism can increase the risk of AF. This is also mentioned in the summary.
- Serious medical complications: AF can cause significant health problems, underscoring the need for proper diagnosis and treatment. Cleveland Clinic highlights this.
- Quivvering or irregular heartbeat: The American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/atrial-fibrillation/what-is-atrial-fibrillation-afib-or-af describes it as a quivering or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia).
While less common, AF could also refer to other terms in different medical contexts. However, within a cardiovascular context, atrial fibrillation is the overwhelmingly likely meaning.
