The atria may beat as fast as 300 to 400 times per minute during AF compared with the normal heart rate of 60 to 100 times per minute . There are many causes of this condition. It may arise without any identifiable cause or it may be the result of underlying heart disease or surgical intervention. There may be a sensation of a sudden pounding, fluttering, or racing in the chest.
Many patients describe it as a feeling of butterflies in their chest.
Some patients may also experience dizziness or chest pain. . AF may increase the risk of stroke and heart failure. The inability of the upper chambers of the heart to work in a coordinated fashion may cause a blood clot to form. This blood clot has the potential to travel throughout the body and become lodged in an artery in the brain. Heart failure may occur because of the inability of the heart to efficiently pump blood out to the rest of the body. .