This causes the ventricles to beat more rapidly than normal, resulting in a rapid or irregular pulse . The ventricles may fail to pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body. Some cases have no identifiable cause. Atrial fibrillation or flutter affects about 5 out of 1000 people. It can affect either sex.
Atrial fibrillation is very common in the elderly, but it can occur in persons of any age.
The pulse may feel rapid or irregular. Blood pressure may be normal or low. An ECG shows atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Medication may include digitalis or other medications that slow the heart beat or that slow conduction of the impulse to the ventricles. The disorder is usually controllable with treatment.