What type of arrhythmia is characterized by a fast and irregular heartbeat?

Atrial fibrillation is characterized by a rapid and irregular heartbeat. In this arrhythmia, the electrical signals in the atria become chaotic, leading to uncoordinated contractions of the atrial muscles. This results in an irregular and often fast heart rate, which can vary significantly from one heartbeat to the next. Patients may experience palpitations, shortness of breath, or fatigue due to the inefficient pumping of blood, as the atria do not fully contract to push blood into the ventricles effectively. This condition is significant because it increases the risk of stroke and other complications due to potential blood clots forming in the ineffective atrial contractions.

In this context, other types of arrhythmias have different characteristics. For instance, ventricular flutter is also a fast arrhythmia but is distinctively regular rather than irregular, and it originates from the ventricles. Sinus tachycardia involves a fast but regular heartbeat originating from the sinoatrial node, and while it can be fast, it does not have the irregularity that defines atrial fibrillation. An atrial escape rhythm typically indicates a slow heart rate resulting from a failure of the higher pacemaker, presenting a much slower and more organized rhythm rather than being fast or irregular