Okuzeka
Medicine vocabulary · Diseases by System

Atrial fibrillation

Meaning in medicine, with examples

/ˈeɪtriəl ˌfɪbrɪˈleɪʃən/nounCommon term

In medicine, atrial fibrillation means: A common heart rhythm problem in which the upper chambers of the heart beat fast and chaotically, giving an irregularly irregular pulse.

In Turkish: atriyal fibrilasyon, AF

How it is used

Usually shortened to AF (US: AFib). Doctors describe it as new-onset, paroxysmal or permanent, and discuss rate control, rhythm control and stroke risk, which is why many patients take anticoagulants. The ECG shows no P waves and irregular QRS complexes.

Example sentences

  1. The ECG confirms atrial fibrillation with a rate of about 130.

  2. Because of his atrial fibrillation, he takes an anticoagulant to lower his stroke risk.

Common collocations

  • new-onset atrial fibrillation
  • paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
  • fast atrial fibrillation
  • rate control
  • palpitationsAn unpleasant awareness of your own heartbeat, which may feel fast, strong, irregular or as if it is skipping beats.
  • ECGShort for electrocardiogram: a test that records the heart's electrical activity using small sticky pads placed on the chest, arms and legs.
  • anticoagulantA medicine that makes the blood take longer to clot, used to prevent or treat clots in conditions such as atrial fibrillation and DVT.
  • strokeSudden damage to part of the brain caused by a blocked blood vessel or by bleeding, which can cause weakness, speech problems or loss of vision.
  • pulseThe regular beat of the heart that you can feel where an artery is close to the skin, such as at the wrist or neck.

More terms: Diseases by System

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level:

This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.