Some people with atrial fibrillation, particularly older people, do not have any symptoms. The irregularity in heart rhythm is often only discovered during routine tests or investigations for another condition.
Typically, a cardioversion where the heart is given a controlled electric shock to restore normal rhythm is carried out. People often attribute tiredness and feeling lethargic to ageing, but once normal rhythm is restored, they realise these symptoms were caused by atrial fibrillation. The most obvious symptom of atrial fibrillation is heart palpitations — where the heart feels like it's pounding, fluttering or beating irregularly, often for a few seconds or possibly a few minutes.
As well as an irregular heartbeat, your heart may also beat very fast often considerably higher than beats per minute. You can work our your heart rate by checking your pulse in your neck or wrist. View an animation of a normal heartbeat.
The amount of blood pumped out of the ventricles to the body is based on the randomness of the atrial beats.
The body may get rapid, small amounts of blood and occasional larger amounts of blood. The amount will depend on how much blood has flowed from the atria to the ventricles with each beat. However, it is still something you and your healthcare provider will want to monitor for because some people live with AFib and do not feel the symptoms.
However, the risks are still present. Overall, most of the risks, symptoms and consequences of AFib are related to how fast the heart is beating and how often rhythm disturbances occur. AFib may be brief, with symptoms that come and go.
It is possible to have an atrial fibrillation episode that resolves on its own. Or, the condition may be persistent and require treatment. Sometimes AFib is permanent, and medicines or other treatments can't restore a normal heart rhythm.
But for all the reasons listed above, it is important to work with your healthcare provider to determine your treatment needs, and to understand your treatment options. It is also important to maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle and reduce your overall risks as much as possible. Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers.
See our editorial policies and staff. Atrial Fibrillation. What is Atrial Fibrillation? Why Atrial Fibrillation Matters. Who is at Risk for Atrial Fibrillation? What are the Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation? Treatment and Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation. What are the consequences of atrial fibrillation AFib? What causes atrial fibrillation? Accessed July 12, Petryszyn P, et al. Effectiveness of screening for atrial fibrillation and its determinants.
A meta-analysis. PLoS One. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed July 22, Kumar K. Overview of atrial fibrillation. Accessed Aug. Bonow RO, et al. Atrial fibrillation: Clinical features, mechanisms and management. January CT, et al. Catheter ablation. Accessed Jan. High blood pressure, Afib, and your risk of stroke. American Heart Association. Antiarrhythmic drugs to maintain sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation: Recommendations.
Ganz LI. Control of ventricular rate in atrial fibrillation: Pharmacologic therapy. Reddy VY, et al. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. Braswell Pickering EA. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. July 22, Noseworthy PA expert opinion. Guide to atrial fibrillation. Heart Rhythm Society. Related Atrial fibrillation Atrial fibrillation and managing stress Caregiving for someone with atrial fibrillation Catheter ablation to isolate the pulmonary veins to treat atrial fibrillation Does atrial fibrillation run in families?
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