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The heart pumps between 60-100 times per minute with a regular beat at rest.

The pump is driven by electrical signals started by your heart’s natural pacemaker called the ‘sinus node’ which sits in the top right section of the heart called the right atrium. The signals reach the bottom chambers of the heart (ventricles) through a 'check point' known as the 'AV node'.

In Atrial Fibrillation (AF), the electrical signals in the top chambers become rapid and disorganised. Whereas, in atrial flutter, the electrical signals are rapid but more organised. In both cases, the signals can travel fast through the AV node to the bottom chambers giving you a fast irregular pulse.

AF can cause you to feel tired, breathless, dizzy, have chest discomfort and/or be aware of your heart fluttering. Symptoms can be mild or markedly debilitating and more than 50% of AF patients have reduced exercise capacity.

AF is associated with increased risk of blood clots, this is addressed by taking blood thinning medications. The rapid irregular heart rate caused by AF can be treated by medications and/or a minimally invasive procedure called catheter ablation.

The main triggers for AF include excessive Alcohol consumption, being overweight, excessive consumption of caffeine and energy drinks, and smoking. Addressing these factors help significantly reduce AF-related symptom burden.