Cardiology Teaching Package
A Beginners Guide to Normal Heart Function, Sinus Rhythm & Common Cardiac Arrhythmias
Causes of Atrial Fibrillation
The list below shows a number of conditions that can cause AF to occur. Any condition that causes an increase in pressure within the atria can cause AF, but it is mainly linked to enlargement of the left atria (or both) as a result of the increased atrial pressure. Prior to this (but connected), fibrosis and/or ischaemia can cause damage to the conduction tissue which then predisposes the patient to onset of arrhythmias.
- Idiopathic (cause unknown)
- Hypertension
- Mitral valve disease
- Cardiomyopathy
- Thyrotoxicosis
- Alcohol
- Sick sinus syndrome
- Cardiac surgery
- Autonomic
- Hypothyroidism
- Hyperkalaemia
- sepsis
