Glossary

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Atrial fibrillation: Among heart diseases, atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disturbance that causes the small chambers of the heart to beat irregularly, allowing blood clots to form, is the most important. It is present in up to 10 percent of elderly people. It is important to recognize atrial fibrillation, because strokes can be prevented by using a blood-thinning medication to prevent clots from forming in the heart.