Question 1

what caused the left atrium to become mildly dialated?

Accepted Answer

Left atrial enlargem: Left atrium is the chamber the blood enters after flowing through the lungs. If its enlarged, there may be problems related to the pressure or volume of blood flow through the chamber. Many things can cause this, best to discuss with your doctor for your specifics.

Question 2

is right atrial enlargement serious or does it depend on the cause?

Accepted Answer

Depends: on causation and the degree of enlargement. Get an echocardiogram and a cardiology consultation to define the cause of this enlargement.

Question 3

what causes atrial arrhythmias?

Accepted Answer

Many causes: First off, need an ultrasound (echo) of your heart, because structural abnormalites of the heart are the first big cause that needs to be eliminated. If your heart is structurally normal, then the other big cause for atrial arrhythmias is diet and drugs -- especially any caffeine or diet pills. Finally, sometimes it is just idiopathic -- which means we cannot find a cause.

Question 4

what can cause an atrial flutter?

Accepted Answer

Several things: In general atrial flutter is often seen in the setting of an enlarged atrium (which in turn is a result of an enlarged left ventricle), or it could be because of underlying congenital heart disease, or it could just happen without any real well known understanding of exactly why.

Question 5

does atrial flutter usually cause many symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes: Many people with atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter will experience a racing and irregular heartbeat, lightheadness, and feeling off. Some people have no symptoms at all, however. An ekg can pick up this condition.

Question 6

cause of atrial fibrilation in gay men?

Accepted Answer

Same as straight men: There's no "gay" factors that contribute to fib that we're aware of. So it's the same as anyone else - advancing age, and other disease in the heart that stresses the atria (top chambers).

Question 7

causes of non valvular atrial fibrillation?

Accepted Answer

Many: High blood pressure is a risk factor. Consider high thyroid levels, premature heart beats, or high amounts of Epinephrine (rare). There are other rare causes. 
Most times we don't find a specific cause- age increases risk for af- the most common heart rhythm disorder.

Question 8

how uncommon us atrial tachycardia and what causes it to start?

Accepted Answer

Common: It's surprisingly common and can occur in normal hearts in the absence of heart disease. It can be caused by cardiac stimulants like caffeine, nicotine, amphetamine, alcohol, and certain medicines like bronchodilators, atropine, and adrenalin.  Thyroid excess can cause it. Stress and lack of sleep can contribute. It occurs for no recognized reason in some.

Question 9

what causes clots in patients with atrial fibrillation?

Accepted Answer

AF clots: The rapid rhythm in the upper chamber (atrium) cause a stagnation of blood flow through it - it beats too fast to force the blood through it efficiently.  Because of this, the left atrial appendage (laa) is the area where >90% of the clots form in af. Clots in the laa break off and flow out of the heart and can cause a stroke. Anticoagulation - blood thing medications - reduce this risk.

Question 10

can atrial fibrillation cause ed?

Accepted Answer

No: Afib cannot directly cause ed.  Medicines used to treat afib can impair erections and conditions associated with afib such as heart failure, coronary disease also can cause ed.

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Doctor answers about:

Cause of atrial fibrilliation

A member asked:

What caused the left atrium to become mildly dialated?

A member asked:

Is right atrial enlargement serious or does it depend on the cause?

A member asked:

What causes atrial arrhythmias?

A member asked:

What can cause an atrial flutter?

A member asked:

Does atrial flutter usually cause many symptoms?

A member asked:

Cause of atrial fibrilation in gay men?

A member asked:

Causes of non valvular atrial fibrillation?

A member asked:

How uncommon us atrial tachycardia and what causes it to start?

A member asked:

What causes clots in patients with atrial fibrillation?

A member asked:

Can atrial fibrillation cause ed?

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