Atrial fibrillation (AFib), also called arrhythmia, is an irregular heart rhythm, which may go unnoticed or feel like the heart is skipping a beat, pounding, fluttering, or beating too hard and fast. AFib can lead to other cardiovascular issues like clots in blood vessels and strokes, so it is important to recognize the factors that contribute to the development of this irregularity. So, here are a few common causes of AFib:

1. Changes in the heart’s electrical activity
AFib can be brought on by electrical signaling irregularities in the heart. This issue stems from random trigger impulses that disrupt regular heartbeat. Trigger electrical signals can frequently start a chain or loop of irregular heart rhythm, making the heart contract over and over, leading to a fast, irregular heart rhythm. Such trigger beat is usually brought on by issues with the heart’s physiology and structure, which is closely linked with age, lifestyle, habits, and underlying health conditions.

2. Changes in the heart tissue
Factors like aging, infection, heart disorders, and genetic problems can lead to dramatic changes in the heart tissue. Such physiological changes can result in electrical impulse irregularities and, by extension, atrial fibrillation. Here, the heart tissue changes could develop in the form of thinning, thickening, or stretching of the heart walls, inflammation, or changes in blood flow to the heart.

3. High blood pressure
High blood pressure, or hypertension, enhances the force with which blood flows through various vessels throughout the body. This change in force can make the heart undergo fundamental physiological changes over a period of time, increasing the risk of atrial fibrillation. So, unchecked blood pressure issues are often common causes of atrial fibrillation development.

4. Coronary artery disease
Coronary heart disease is a cardiovascular condition that can weaken the heart muscle over time. The condition is also known to damage the electrical impulse mechanism and negatively affect both the structure and the functioning of the heart, making it a common risk factor for atrial fibrillation.

5. Type 2 diabetes
Diabetes is often responsible for a range of complications in the body, like kidney disorders and nerve damage. Further, uncontrolled and drastically fluctuating blood glucose levels associated with type 2 diabetes are believed to weaken the muscle tissue of the heart. This makes diabetes a risk factor for atrial fibrillation.

6. Asthma
Asthma is a disorder characterized by breathing issues brought on by inflammation and muscle tightening around the airways. The inflammation associated with asthma may be linked to AFib. Certain studies have found that those with long-term asthma are 1.5 times more likely to develop atrial fibrillation at some stage during their lives. Research also suggests that the wear and tear process enhanced by diseases like asthma may also increase the risk of atrial fibrillation. While this makes asthma a likely risk factor, more research is required to confirm the link.

If left unchecked, AFib can lead to complications like clots in blood vessels and heart-related conditions. So, it is important to recognize the risk factors and discuss lifestyle changes one can make to lower the risk of AFib.