Atrial flutter is a type of heart rhythm disorder characterized by a rapid heartbeat. In this type of arrhythmia, the upper chambers of the heart called atria, beat too quickly as a result of an abnormal electrical circuit.

A normal heartbeat is 60-100 beats per minute, whereas, in atrial flutter, the heart beats about 250-400 beats per minute. And, since this tachycardia (abnormally fast heart rate) comes from the atria, atrial flutter is also known as supraventricular tachycardia.

Atrial Flutter Risks

Unfortunately, there’s a major danger linked to atrial flutter. Precisely speaking, the main risk is that the heart isn’t able to pump blood properly when it beats too fast. As a consequence, vital organs, such as the heart and brain, don’t get enough blood which may lead to congestive heart failure, heart attack, or stroke. Luckily, if treated, atrial flutter in most cases isn’t life-threatening.

Atrial Flutter Causes

In short, the precise cause of atrial flutter may or may not be ever found. In some people, the underlying cause is left unknown. However, there are several potential main causes of atrial flutter, including:

• Heart diseases or other heart-related issues– ischemia, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, cardiomyopathy, abnormal heart valves, hypertrophy, open-heart surgery, etc.
• Other diseases affecting the heart – hyperthyroidism, pulmonary embolism, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), etc.
• Substances that trigger atrial flutter – alcohol and stimulants such as caffeine, cold medicines, diet pills, cocaine, amphetamines, etc.

Atrial Flutter Risk Factors

Based on the main causes of atrial flutter, we may conclude that risk factors for developing the disorder include:

• Heart failure
• High blood pressure
• Heart attack
• Heart valve issues
• Chronic lung disease
• Other chronic diseases
• Diabetes
• Thyroid disease
• Alcohol abuse

Atrial Flutter Symptoms

Even though some people may never experience any atrial flutter symptoms and still have the disorder, others have the following symptoms:

• Heart palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Tiredness
• Confusion
• Anxiety
• Physical weakness

On top of these, those who have both atrial flutter and an existing heart or lung disease may also experience more serious symptoms including:

• Chest pain
• Heart pain
• Lightheadedness
• Fainting

With the potential risks of atrial flutter in mind, if you notice any of the above-listed symptoms, ensure you seek immediate medical care – call 911 or head to the emergency room.

Atrial Flutter Diagnosis

Once you describe your symptoms to a doctor, he/she will immediately suspect an arrhythmia. Yet, to be able to pinpoint the exact type and provide a diagnosis, you will have to undergo some tests which may include:

• An electrocardiogram (EKG)
• A Holter monitor/ ambulatory EKG
• An event monitor
• An echocardiogram
• Blood tests

Atrial Flutter Treatment

Finally, let’s have a look at how is atrial flutter treated and what the goals of the treatment are. In brief, if you are diagnosed with atrial flutter, your doctor will aim to control the ventricular rate, restore and maintain a normal sinus rhythm, and prevent future episodes and stroke.

Atrial flutter treatment options include:

• Medical procedures–defibrillation, electrical cardioversion, or radiofrequency ablation.
• Medications
• heart rate medicines (digoxin, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers)
• heart rhythm medicines (sodium channel blockers and potassium channel blockers)
• anticoagulants

The bottom line, as we already mentioned, if treated and managed according to the prescribed treatment plan, atrial flutter won’t result in any lethal consequences. That said, it’s important that you identify your symptoms and seek medical help on time if you want to avoid the possible complications of this tachycardia.