Causes & Types of Atrial Fibrillation

Causes of AFib

Atrial fibrillation can occur in otherwise healthy individuals.

Some common causes of atrial fibrillation:


AFib Risk Factors You Can Control


Stages of AFib

There are different types of atrial fibrillation. These distinctions are made because the treatment depends on the type of atrial fibrillation. One may also start out with paroxysmal AFib and over time progress to persistent  or long-standing persistent AFib

Paroxysmal: Refers to atrial fibrillation that comes and goes on its own. Episodes may last anywhere from a few minutes to several hours and sometimes days, but not lasting longer than 7 days. No medical treatment is needed to stop the episodes of atrial fibrillation.

Persistent: Atrial fibrillation episodes that last longer than 7 days. Also includes AFib lasting less than 7 days, but needing medicine or electrical cardioversion to stop the irregular rhythm.

Long-standing Persistent: Persistant atrial fibrillation that lasts longer than one year. Medicine and electrical cardioversion have failed and a normal heart rhythm cannot be restored without further intervention.