What is fibrillation of the heart?

• A. A regular, strong heartbeat
• B. When the heart begins to quiver
• C. A rapid and consistent heartbeat
• D. A slow, steady heartbeat

Answer: (B)

Fibrillation means the heart’s electrical activity becomes chaotic, causing the heart muscle to quiver instead of contracting in a coordinated way. Because the chambers don’t beat together, blood isn’t pumped effectively, which can lead to fainting or even life-threatening collapse if it’s ventricular fibrillation. This isn’t a normal, regular strong heartbeat, nor a rapid and regular beat, nor a slow, steady beat—the defining feature is the uncoordinated, rapid quivering that disrupts blood flow.