Overview
Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained heart rhythm disorder, in which the upper chambers of the heart (atria) beat in a fast, irregular, and uncoordinated way. This can make the heart pump less efficiently and allows blood to pool, which raises the risk of clots and stroke. Some people feel obvious symptoms while others have no symptoms and are found by chance. It can come and go or be persistent.
Symptoms
- Irregular or rapid heartbeat (palpitations)
- Fluttering or pounding sensation in the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue or reduced exercise tolerance
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Chest discomfort
- Feeling faint
Causes & risk factors
- High blood pressure
- Coronary artery disease or prior heart attack
- Heart valve disease
- Overactive thyroid
- Excess alcohol intake
- Obesity and sleep apnea
- Increasing age
- Other heart or lung conditions
Treatment & self-care
Care focuses on controlling the heart rate or restoring a normal rhythm, and on reducing stroke risk based on an individual risk assessment. Depending on the case, a clinician may discuss lifestyle changes, monitoring, procedures such as cardioversion or catheter ablation, and measures to lower clot risk. Treatment is individualized and should be directed by a licensed clinician, often a cardiologist.
See a doctor urgently if
- You feel a persistently fast or irregular heartbeat
- You have palpitations with shortness of breath, dizziness, or fatigue
- You have any new or worsening heart symptoms
This condition can be an emergency. If any of the signs above are severe or getting worse, go to the nearest emergency room now or call your local emergency number — do not wait for an online consultation.