Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of heart arrhythmia that can lead to heart attack, stroke, and other serious conditions. Learn more about AF.
Don't Skip a Beat When Managing Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation, also called A-Fib, is a health condition that affects the heart's rhythm. It's the most common type of arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat.
In patients with A-Fib, the heart's upper chambers, called the atria, quiver instead of beating at a normal rhythm. This causes the heart's lower chambers, called the ventricles, to beat irregularly and often too fast. An irregular heart rhythm could lead to a heart attack and increase your risk of stroke, blood clots and heart failure.
A-Fib Symptoms
Some people have A-Fib with no symptoms, sometimes called silent atrial fibrillation, and they don't know they have it until they have a routine examination or begin to experience other health conditions related to A-Fib. However, for many people, A-Fib may cause a variety of symptoms, including:
- Chest pain or pressure
- Fainting
- Feeling dizzy
- Palpitations, feeling your heart beating irregularly, fluttering, or racing
- Sweating
- Weakness
In some people, A-Fib increases risk of stroke. If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms,contact a doctor immediately.
What Causes A-Fib?
The exact cause is unknown, but getting older increases the risk of developing atrial fibrillation. Several other factors can also put you at risk for this type of heart disease, including:
- High blood pressure
- Heart diseases such as coronary artery disease or heart failure
- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
- Sleep apnea
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Smoking
- Family history of AF
How Is A-Fib Diagnosed?
A-Fib is usually diagnosed with a review of family history, a physical exam and an electrocardiogram, or an EKG. An EKG is a test that records the electrical activity of your heart. During an EKG, small electrodes attached to your skin record the electrical signals to determine if your heart beats normally or has an irregular rhythm.
Your doctor may also give you a discreet wearable device called a Holter monitor to track your heart's electrical impulses as you go about your everyday activities, including exercise. Patients usually wear the device around the clock for one or two days.
There are four different types of A-Fib:
- Paroxysmal A-Fib – a brief event that usually lasts 24 hours or less but could persist for a week
- Persistent A-Fib – lasts for more than a week but then stops, sometimes on its own and sometimes with treatment
- Long-term persistent A-Fib – lasts for a year or longer and does not get better
- Permanent A-Fib – doesn't improve and requires long-term treatment
A-Fib Treatment
Atrial fibrillation has no cure, but you can manage symptoms to reduce the risk of complications. Treatment for A-Fib may include:
- Making lifestyle changes including regular exercise, eating a heart-healthy diet, managing stress, limiting alcohol or avoiding it altogether and not smoking.
- Taking medications to slow your heart rate, control heart rhythm and prevent blood clots.
- Catheter ablation, which is a minimally invasive procedure that destroys the abnormal heart tissue causing the irregular heartbeat.
- Getting a pacemaker, which is a small device implanted in your chest that helps your heart beat regularly.