Atrial flutter may be caused by abnormalities or diseases of the heart itself, by a disease elsewhere in the body that affects the heart, or by consuming substances that change the way electrical impulses are transmitted through the heart. In a few people, no underlying cause is ever found.
Heart diseases or abnormalities that can cause atrial flutter include the following:
Decreased blood flow to the heart (ischemia) due to coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, or a blood clot
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Disease of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)
Abnormalities of the heart valves (especially the mitral valve)
An abnormally enlarged chamber of the heart (hypertrophy)
After open heart surgery
Diseases elsewhere in the body that affect the heart include the following:
Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
Blood clot in a blood vessel in the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
Chronic (ongoing, long-term) lung diseases (COPD), such as emphysema, that lower the amount of oxygen in the blood
Substances that may contribute to atrial flutter include the following:
Alcohol (wine, beer, or hard liquor)
Stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines, diet pills, cold medicines, even caffeine
Atrial flutter is closely related to another arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation. The two sometimes alternate back and forth.
Circulatory System
Circulatory System, or cardiovascular system, in humans, the combined function of the heart, blood, and blood vessels to transport oxygen and nutrients to organs and tissues throughout the body and carry away waste products. Among its vital functions, the circulatory system increases the flow of blood to meet increased energy demands during exercise and regulates body temperature.
