#TYPICAL ATRIAL FLUTTER AND ECG HOW TO#
#TYPICAL ATRIAL FLUTTER AND ECG PORTABLE#

The electrical conduction system of the heart. The AVN briefly delays the impulse which then travels through the Bundle of His, down the left and right bundle branches and finally to the Purkinje fibres resulting in ventricular contraction. The electrical impulses travel through the atria causing atrial contraction and to the atrioventricular node (AVN) which lies between the atria and ventricles. The sympathetic branch of the nervous system increases the rate of impulse generation from the SAN whereas the parasympathetic branch decreases the rate of impulse generation. The rate at which these impulses are generated is under the influence of the autonomic nervous system. The recorder will either trace your heart rate continuously over 24 hours or when you switch it on at the start of an episode.You might also be interested in our medical flashcard collection which contains over 1000 flashcards that cover key medical topics.īefore understanding the pathophysiology of AF, it is important to understand the normal cardiac conduction system.Ĭardiac electrical impulses are first generated in the sinoatrial node (SAN) which is found in the right atrium.

#TYPICAL ATRIAL FLUTTER AND ECG PORTABLE#

This will confirm the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation and rule out other conditions.īut often it can be difficult to capture an episode of atrial fibrillation, so you may be asked to wear a small portable ECG recorder. If you have an episode of atrial fibrillation during an ECG, your abnormal heart rate will be recorded. An ECG machine traces these signals onto paper.ĭuring an episode of atrial fibrillation, your heart rate will be irregular and over 100 beats per minute. It's usually carried out in a hospital or GP surgery, takes about 5 minutes, and is painless.ĭuring an ECG, small stickers called electrodes are attached to your arms, legs and chest, and connected by wires to an ECG machine.Įvery time your heart beats, it produces tiny electrical signals. Electrocardiogram (ECG)Īn ECG is a test that records your heart's rhythm and electrical activity. They can carry out a procedure called catheter ablation to treat your atrial fibrillation. If atrial fibrillation is suspected, a GP may give you an electrocardiogram (ECG) and refer you to a heart specialist (cardiologist) for further tests.Īn electrophysiologist is a cardiologist who specialises in electrical disturbances of the heart.

#TYPICAL ATRIAL FLUTTER AND ECG HOW TO#

Heart rhythm charity Arrythmia Alliance has more information about knowing your pulse and how to check it.Ĭhecking and assessing your pulse can give you a good indication of whether you have atrial fibrillation, but a full medical investigation will be needed before a diagnosis can be made. In atrial fibrillation, the heart rate can often be considerably higher than 100 beats per minute, and each individual beat is erratic. using the second hand on a clock or watch, count the number of beats for 30 seconds, and then double that number to get your heart rate in beats per minuteĪt rest, a normal heart rate should be 60 to 100 beats per minute.firmly place the index and middle finger of your right hand on your left wrist, at the base of the thumb (between the wrist and the tendon attached to the thumb).hold your left hand out with your palm facing up and elbow slightly bent.

sit down for 5 minutes – do not smoke or drink caffeine before taking the reading.Checking your pulse is a useful first step in helping to diagnose atrial fibrillation.

Typical atrial flutter and ecg