This prevents the upper chambers from filling between heartbeats. In atrial flutter, an electrical impulse from the right atrium of the heart travels more quickly than usual, which causes rapid contractions in the atrium. Doctors refer to arrhythmia in this area as a supraventricular arrhythmia. Atrial flutterĪtrial flutter refers to a heartbeat that is faster than usual in the upper heart chambers. This can lead to changes in blood pressure and can affect the proper functioning of the heart.

This causes an atypical rhythm and can result in uncoordinated blood flow to the ventricles, or lower heart chambers. Electrical abnormalities in these chambers cause the atrial tissue to contract irregularly. The American Heart Association (AHA) states that at least 2.7 million people in the United States have AFib.ĭoctors believe AFib occurs when something triggers a rapid firing of the atria, the upper chambers of the heart. AFib can also lead to other heart-related issues, such as stroke.

AFibĪ person with AFib will have an atypical heartbeat, which doctors sometimes describe as quivering.

However, they also both respond to some of the same treatments.ĪFib and atrial flutter are the most common heart arrhythmias globally. They both affect the heart’s upper chambers and cause many similar symptoms and complications. The two arrhythmias share various similarities. Share on Pinterest Dana Neely/Getty ImagesĪFib and atrial flutter are both arrhythmias, but each refers to a different abnormality in heart rhythm.

Afib vs a flutter