Consequences of atrial fibrillation

Atrial Fibrillation results in…..

• The cardiac atria not contracting in a coordinated manner
• Reduced cardiac output
• At least a five fold increased risk of ischaemic stroke compared with a person in normal heart rhythm
• Blood clot forming in the atria which can then embolise to the brain or other organs
• A rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
• An irregular pulse which varies in strength from beat to beat