Atrial fibrillation is caused by erratic electrical impulses in the heart that originate from the pulmonary veins for intermittent cases and other areas for persistent cases. While researchers are still investigating the exact cause, some studies have found a genetic component as atrial fibrillation tends to run in families, suggesting genetics may play a role though the overall cause remains largely unknown.

1. What Causes Atrial Fibrillation? Where does atrial fibrillation come from and what causes it? We know that the erratic electrical impulses that cause atrial fibrillation often originate in the pulmonary veins, at least in most paroxysmal (intermittent) atrial fibrillation, and that the impulses that cause persistent and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation are believed to come from other areas as well, but what actually causes afib? Though researchers are investigating the cause of atrial fibrillation, as of now it is largely unknown except that some recent studies have shown a genetic component as afib often runs in families.