Word parts
What it means
The most common arrhythmiauh-RITH-mee-uhA heart rhythm that is not normal: too fast, too slow or irregular.a- withoutrhythm regular beat-ia conditionFull entry . Electrical signals in the atria (the upper chambers) fire chaotically, so the atria quiver and the heartbeat becomes irregular, often fast. On the electrocardiogramih-lek-troh-KAR-dee-oh-gramA test that records the heart's electrical activity as waves on paper or a screen.electr/o electricitycardi/o heart-gram recordFull entry there are no clear P waves and the rhythm is "irregularly irregular". Because blood pools in the quivering atria, clots can form and travel to the brain, so the risk of stroke is higher.
For the nurse
Check the apical pulse for a full minute and compare it with the radial pulse. Ask about dizziness, palpitations and shortness of breath. Many clients take an anticoagulantan-tee-koh-AG-yoo-luntA drug that slows the blood's ability to form clots.anti- againstcoagul/o clotting-ant an agent that doesFull entry to prevent stroke: teach bleeding precautions and to report signs of stroke right away.
In a chart
"New-onset atrial fibrillation, ventricular rate 128; provider notified."
At a glance
| Abbreviations | AF, AFib |
|---|---|
| Spanish | fibrilación auricular |
| Also written | AFib, A-fib, AF |
Related terms
digoxin
A drug that makes the heart beat more strongly and more slowly.
arrhythmia
A heart rhythm that is not normal: too fast, too slow or irregular.
electrocardiogram
A test that records the heart's electrical activity as waves on paper or a screen.
anticoagulant
A drug that slows the blood's ability to form clots.
dysrhythmia
A heart rhythm that is not normal: too fast, too slow or irregular.