The information is based on articles which appear in Australian Prescriber. They will be able to give a more detailed answer to your questions by reading the main article. Australian Prescriber is unable to comment on individual cases or give second opinions. If these regular contractions are replaced by fast and irregular twitching the person has developed atrial fibrillation. This makes their pulse fast and irregular.
Atrial fibrillation occurs commonly, particularly in older people.
Atrial fibrillation can be caused by high blood pressure, heart disease, an overactive thyroid gland or alcohol. If untreated, atrial fibrillation can cause heart failure or strokes. If atrial fibrillation starts suddenly an electric shock to the chest wall can stop the heart muscle irregularity. Some medicines can also be used to make the pulse normal. Once the atrial fibrillation stops, the patient may need to take a medicine to prevent it starting again.