fibrillation
Irregular Heart Rhythm
Plain-language definition
An irregular, often rapid heart rhythm. Atrial fibrillation is a major risk factor for embolic stroke and retinal artery occlusion.
Where this term comes up
“Cardiac emboli: clots from heart (atrial fibrillation, valve disease)”
Symptom · Transient Vision Loss
“Atrial fibrillation”
Condition · Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion (BRAO)
“Patient is otherwise typically older with vascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, smoking)”
Guide · Sudden Severe Headache with Vision Change - Could This Be a Stroke?
- Category
- Condition, finding, or disease process
- Also written as
- No alternate forms listed.
Pathology terms describe diseases, tissue changes, exam findings, or complications that can affect vision or eye comfort.
Related glossary terms
- ischemia
Reduced Blood Supply
- CRP
C-Reactive Protein
- ESR
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate
- CRAO
Central Retinal Artery Occlusion
- amaurosis fugax
Sudden Brief Vision Loss in One Eye
- hemorrhage
Bleeding
A note on medical context
A glossary definition can explain a word, but it cannot tell you whether a symptom or test result is serious. If this term came from an article, use the full article and your clinician's guidance for context.