<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Why so desperate to calm the running dogs' nerves?
What is atrial flutter?
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->WHEN the upper chamber of the heart is pumping at 300 to 800 beats per minute, it is as good as not working, explained a senior cardiologist.
'When that happens, the top chamber of the heart is actually not pumping.
'The sluggish blood flow from the top chamber can cause clots to form. When these flow to the brain, they can cause stroke,' he said.
The upper chamber is the 'booster pump' that does 15 to 20per cent of the work and supports the lower chamber, which does the bulk of the pumping for the heart.
What causes it: Atrial flutter can be triggered by a host of things, including a heavy meal.
Symptoms are generally a feeling of tiredness and breathlessness when walking short distances. Some might feel their heart beating faster.
The risks: The greatest risk of atrial flutter, if treatment is not given within 48 hours, is stroke. But the 5 to 10per cent risk of stroke drops with timely treatment.
How is it treated: Treatment involves giving an anti-coagulant to thin the blood and reduce the risk of stroke; medicine to regulate the heartbeat; and cardioversion, whereby timed electric shocks are given through the chest and back, to restore a normal heartbeat.
For about 50per cent of patients, the heart will revert to normality on its own.
Patients are usually put on medication to prevent a recurrence, which would otherwise occur within the year in up to half of the cases.
Former British prime minister Tony Blair was hospitalised and successfully treated for this in 2004.
Salma Khalik
What is atrial flutter?
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->WHEN the upper chamber of the heart is pumping at 300 to 800 beats per minute, it is as good as not working, explained a senior cardiologist.
'When that happens, the top chamber of the heart is actually not pumping.
'The sluggish blood flow from the top chamber can cause clots to form. When these flow to the brain, they can cause stroke,' he said.
The upper chamber is the 'booster pump' that does 15 to 20per cent of the work and supports the lower chamber, which does the bulk of the pumping for the heart.
What causes it: Atrial flutter can be triggered by a host of things, including a heavy meal.
Symptoms are generally a feeling of tiredness and breathlessness when walking short distances. Some might feel their heart beating faster.
The risks: The greatest risk of atrial flutter, if treatment is not given within 48 hours, is stroke. But the 5 to 10per cent risk of stroke drops with timely treatment.
How is it treated: Treatment involves giving an anti-coagulant to thin the blood and reduce the risk of stroke; medicine to regulate the heartbeat; and cardioversion, whereby timed electric shocks are given through the chest and back, to restore a normal heartbeat.
For about 50per cent of patients, the heart will revert to normality on its own.
Patients are usually put on medication to prevent a recurrence, which would otherwise occur within the year in up to half of the cases.
Former British prime minister Tony Blair was hospitalised and successfully treated for this in 2004.
Salma Khalik
