Causes of Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is caused due to ineffective or improper functioning of the heart’s electrical system wherein the atria (upper chambers of the heart) tremble instead of beating/contracting regularly. This causes pooling of blood in the atria, which in turn leads to disturbances in the normal functioning of the heart.

Some of the most common underlying disorders and other risk factors, which lead to this irregular rhythm are:

• Long-standing hypertension.

• Diabetes mellitus.

• Excessive intake of alcohol and smoking.

• Coronary artery disease.

• Left ventricular hypertrophy.

• Ischemic heart disease.

• Congestive heart failure.

• Any form of carditis.

• Lung diseases.

• An overactive thyroid gland.

• Higher cholesterol levels.^1,2