Pathology of Atrial Fibrillation and Methods for Testing and Prescribing Exercise

Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common arrhythmias which is diagnosed to nearly 450,000 Americans each year (CDC, 2021). Atrial fibrillation is a conduction defect of the atria and is often characterized as an irregular heart rate that often causes poor blood flow. Atrial fibrillation is commonly associated with very rapid and chaotic atrial depolarizations that result in an irregular and sometimes rapid response of the ventricles (Jacobs, 2018). This condition can potentially have no symptoms, but when symptoms do appear they can include shortness of breath, fatigue, and palpitations. Treatments of atrial fibrillation include blood thinners, minimally invasive surgery such as an ablation, and cardioversions which are electrical shocks.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/exercise-science-research-proposal-posters/1179/thumbnail.jp