Atrial Flutter

Symptoms of atrial flutter

With atrial flutter, you may feel your heart racing. It may feel like there’s a fluttering feeling in your chest. 

You may also experience other atrial flutter symptoms like: 

• Dizziness
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath

Sometimes, though, you might not have any symptoms of atrial flutter.

Atrial flutter risk factors 

While the causes of atrial flutter vary, these are some of the risk factors for atrial flutter:

• Substance use disorder
• Congenital heart disease
• Diabetes
• Heart failure
• High blood pressure
• Lung disease
• Thyroid conditions

When to seek care for atrial flutter

Although atrial flutter is not immediately life-threatening, it is a serious heart condition. When you have atrial flutter, your heart is pumping less blood. It also can weaken your heart muscles and increase your risk for stroke and blood clots. 

Atrial flutter can also increase your risk for developing other heart conditions, such as atrial fibrillation or heart failure.

If you have risk factors or symptoms of atrial flutter, talk to your UCI Health primary care physician or cardiologist. 

After discussing your concerns and symptoms with you, your physician will do a physical exam. They may also recommend diagnostic tests that can determine if you have an atrial flutter or other type of arrhythmia. 

They may also refer you to a UCI Health electrophysiologist, a cardiologist who specializes in atrial flutter and other arrhythmias.

Atrial flutter diagnosis at UCI Health

We understand that symptoms of atrial flutter can be unnerving — and they can interfere with your quality of life. That’s why our cardiologists are committed to getting to the root cause of your symptoms. 

We specialize in performing the full range of diagnostic tests that can determine if you have atrial flutter or other heart conditions.

Atrial flutter vs. atrial fibrillation (AFib)

Atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation (AFib) — which is the most common type of arrhythmia — both affect the upper chambers of your heart. They also both increase your risk for developing blood clots and stroke.

However, there are a few key differences between these two common arrhythmias. 

With atrial flutter, your heart beats in a normal pattern, but it’s faster than normal. And with AFib, your heart beats irregularly.

Although these conditions are very similar, UCI Health electrophysiologists specialize in accurately diagnosing the specific type of arrhythmia you have. They the tailor your treatment for atrial flutter, AFib or any other type of arrhythmia to your specific needs.

Atrial flutter treatment at UCI Health

There are several different treatment options for atrial flutter. 

Your UCI Health electrophysiologist will work with you to determine the best treatment for your specific needs and preferences. 

They’ll talk to you about how atrial flutter has been affecting your everyday life and your symptoms. They’ll also explain the different treatment options and what you can expect. 

Together, you’ll land on a treatment plan that is designed specifically for you.

Why choose UCI Health for atrial flutter care?

Your partner in care

When you have atrial flutter, you’ll have a team in your corner before, during and after your treatment. Our team will make sure you understand what to expect, as well as the risks and benefits of your treatment options. Your electrophysiology care team will work with you to find an approach that works best for your symptoms and lifestyle. 

Expertise in cardiac ablation for atrial flutter

One of the most effective ways to treat atrial flutter is with cardiac ablation. UCI Health electrophysiologists specialize in performing cardiac ablations and have high success rates in using it to treat atrial flutter. In fact, our cure rate with cardiac ablation for atrial flutter is around 80% to 85%. 

Focus on your quality of life

We understand that having atrial flutter can make you feel rundown and unable to enjoy everyday activities. Our goal is to help you feel better and regain your quality of life. With the right treatments and regular follow-ups with our team, atrial flutter is manageable — and sometimes even curable.