Atrial Fibrillation
Definition: Atrial fibrillation is a medical term that refers to a condition where the upper chambers of the heart (called the atria) beat in an irregular and often rapid way. This can lead to various health problems, including heart palpitations, weakness, and an increased risk of stroke.
Usage Instructions: - You can use "atrial fibrillation" when talking about heart health, especially when discussing conditions that affect how the heart beats. - It is typically used in medical contexts, so it's common to hear it in hospitals, clinics, or health-related discussions.
Example Sentence: - "After feeling tired and having a fast heartbeat, the doctor diagnosed him with atrial fibrillation."
Advanced Usage: - In a more advanced context, you might encounter discussions about treatment for atrial fibrillation, such as medications, lifestyle changes, or procedures like cardioversion.
Word Variants: - The term "fibrillation" can stand alone and refers to a rapid, irregular contraction of muscle fibers. - "Atria" is the plural form of "atrium," which means the upper chambers of the heart.
Different Meanings: - While "atrial fibrillation" specifically refers to a heart condition, "fibrillation" alone can refer to similar irregular contractions in other muscles, such as the heart or skeletal muscles.
Synonyms: - There are no direct synonyms for "atrial fibrillation," but you might hear related terms like "AFib" (a common abbreviation) or "irregular heartbeat."
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs: - There aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs that include "atrial fibrillation," but you might hear phrases like "a racing heart" when describing symptoms.
Summary: Atrial fibrillation is an important term in medical discussions about heart health.