Changes to the Heart’s Electrical Signaling
In most cases, atrial fibrillation is triggered by electric signals from an unusual heartbeat. Electric signals from this heartbeat may cause the heart to keep beating slower or faster than usual. Electric signals usually start as an abnormal loop that tells the heart to contract continuously. This abnormal electric signal can develop the fast, and irregular heartbeat that occurs in atrial fibrillation.
Studies show that changes in the heart’s electrical signaling can be caused by differences in the structure of the heart, heartbeats that occur early or too often, typical heart rate changes, and patches of heart tissues that transmit the signal quickly or slowly.
Changes in Heart Tissue
Atrial fibrillation can occur due to certain factors such as heart disease, infection, aging, or genetic changes. Tissue changes can influence your heart’s ability to contract rhythmically. For example, inflammation, fibrosis, thinning or thickening of the heart walls, stretching, reduced blood flow to the heart, or accumulation of cells, minerals, or protein in heart tissue.