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Atrial fibrillation is a common cardiac abnormal rhythm of heart that involves atria, which is at the upper part of heart. The atrium tends to quiver rather than beat efficiently and is usually judged through the pulse and heartbeat, which occurs at irregular intervals.
Often confused with heart attacks, they are not life threatening. To get an in-depth understanding, it’s important to know and understand the various types of atrial fibrillation.
Primary or lone atrial fibrillation types is a condition wherein its symptoms are not easily identified. It strikes people of about 30-50 years of age. Chronic atrial fibrillation is an extension of the primary atrial fibrillation that sets to continue for a longer period of time. Since they persist for longer time, their treatment is not possible, even with medication.
There are further classifications on the atrial fibrillation types, based on their longevity. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is a condition wherein irregular rhythm of heart suddenly begins, on a quick note and stop on their own. These irregular and abnormal rates occur periodically. There is no consistency on how long they will last, as they might occur in a short span of very few seconds, minutes, at times in hours of the day at varied times. Also, they might continue to last for several days or may just occur rarely in a year. Because of its nature, they make the person restless and unsettling.
Persistent atrial fibrillation is another type of atrial fibrillation wherein the heartbeat continues to beat at its irregular rhythm for more than 48 hours at a stretch. They do not stop or do not get normal. They can be cured only through treatment and without any treatments, they continue to cause trouble.
Permanent or the longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation, as they are called, are an extension of the above case wherein the paroxysmal or persistent atrial or normal rhythm of the heart fails to come back to normal even after medication/treatments. They can occur with persons of persistent or paroxysmal AF patients.
Acute-onset atrial fibrillation is a case which erupts the symptoms of AF all of a sudden to a person for first time or may severe the conditions of the existing patient. They may also strike persons with persistent or paroxysmal AF, or even those who are not undergoing the treatment. Some of the cases with acute AF may have to be diagnosed and treated carefully because of their severity of their condition and exhibition of various dangerous symptoms that might end up making them hospitalized.
Post-operative AF usually occurs after the surgery has been performed. After some time, they get cured automatically.
