Last Updated on March 19, 2025 by Analgesia team
What is The Main Cause of Atrial Fibrillation
AFib is the medical abbreviation for atrial fibrillation, a type of arrhythmia, or abnormal heartbeat. It occurs when the heart’s upper chambers beat irregularly and very quickly, often more than 400 times per minute.
Atrial fibrillation can cause serious medical complications, including:
- Blood clots that can travel to the brain and cause a stroke
- Heart failure
Symptoms of atrial fibrillation include:
- Feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheaded
- Racing heart (palpitations)
- Tiredness or weakness
- Chest discomfort
- Difficulty exercising
Causes of AFib
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is most commonly caused by damage to the heart’s tissue or electrical signalling. This damage can be due to several conditions and factors, including:
-
- High blood pressure: Also known as hypertension
- Heart disease: Such as coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, or heart failure
- Congenital heart defects: Heart problems you’re born with
- Infections: Such as pneumonia or other viral infections
- Sleep apnea: A sleep disorder that can stress the heart and deprive the body of oxygen
- Ageing: As people age, their risk of AFib increases
- High blood pressure: Also known as hypertension
Other risk factors for AFib include:
- Diabetes
- Hyperthyroidism
- Being overweight or obese
- Having had heart, lung, or oesophagus surgery
- Family history
- Lung disease
- Sick sinus syndrome
Some common triggers for AFib include:
- Stimulants such as caffeine and cigarettes
- Alcohol
- Stress and worry
- Strenuous exercise
- Poor sleep
Sometimes the cause of AFib is unknown.
Some lifestyle choices that may help prevent atrial fibrillation include:
- Controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes
- Not smoking or using tobacco
- Eating a low-salt, low-saturated fat diet
- Exercising at least 30 minutes a day
- Getting enough sleep
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Reducing and managing stress
AFib can be occasional or persistent. It’s often asymptomatic and undiagnosed.