Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionSymptomsWhen to Be ConcernedDiagnosisTreatmentDoes Treatment Help?CopingOutlookNext in Atrial Fibrillation Guide6 Nighttime Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms: What Helps?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Symptoms
When to Be Concerned
Diagnosis
Treatment
Does Treatment Help?
Coping
Outlook
Next in Atrial Fibrillation Guide
Atrialfibrillation, often called AFib, causes an irregular and sometimes rapid heartbeat. It ranks as one of the most commonarrhythmias(irregular heart rhythms). AFib affects more than 5 million U.S. adults.
AFib can occur with or without symptoms. Untreated AFib raises your risk ofblood clots,stroke,heart attack, andheart failure. Treating the problem can prevent these dangers and let you live a normal and active life.
This article describes atrial fibrillation symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. It also tells you which symptoms are serious and need urgent care.
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AFib Meaning & Changes to Heart Rate
Atrial fibrillation occurs when irregular electrical signals in your heart’s atria (the two uppercardiac chambers) disrupt the normal beating of your heart. The problem prevents blood from flowing normally to the ventricles (the two bottom cardiac chambers).
When this happens, the chambers don’t work together to pump blood to your lungs and the rest of your body. The effect can leave you feeling tired or dizzy.
When not enough blood is pumped from your atria, the blood may pool there. This increases your risk of blood clots and stroke. It can also cause or worsen other types ofheart disease.
Without treatment, AFib episodes can occur more often and last longer. The problem can weaken your heart and increase your stroke or heart failure risk.
Who Gets Atrial Fibrillation?Atrial fibrillation can occur due to changes in your heart’s structure. You have a higher risk of these types of changes and getting atrial fibrillation if the following factors pertain to you:Age 65 or olderFamily history of atrial fibrillationBeing White and of European ancestryPrevious surgery on your heart, lungs, oresophagus(food tube)Regularly consuming large amounts of alcohol, especially binge drinkingRecreational drug useSmokingParticipating in physically demanding activities like endurance sportsHaving obesityor a higher than average body weightSleep apneaand other sleep disordersDiabetesHigh blood pressure (hypertension)and other types of heart disease
Who Gets Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation can occur due to changes in your heart’s structure. You have a higher risk of these types of changes and getting atrial fibrillation if the following factors pertain to you:Age 65 or olderFamily history of atrial fibrillationBeing White and of European ancestryPrevious surgery on your heart, lungs, oresophagus(food tube)Regularly consuming large amounts of alcohol, especially binge drinkingRecreational drug useSmokingParticipating in physically demanding activities like endurance sportsHaving obesityor a higher than average body weightSleep apneaand other sleep disordersDiabetesHigh blood pressure (hypertension)and other types of heart disease
Atrial fibrillation can occur due to changes in your heart’s structure. You have a higher risk of these types of changes and getting atrial fibrillation if the following factors pertain to you:
AFib Symptoms
There are different types of AFib, some of which are similar but differ in duration and the underlying causes. AFib is classified according to the following categories:
Newer Afib guidelines emphasize that AFib occurs on a continuum and defines it according to various stages. Stage 1 means a person has risk factors. Stage 2 is when electrical abnormalities have developed in the heart but not yet led to symptomatic AFib. Stage 3 encompasses paroxysmal, persistent, and long-standing AFib. Permanent AFib is called Stage 4.
Symptoms That Come and Go
When symptoms occur during an episode of atrial fibrillation, they can include the following:
Long-term Symptoms
Long-term atrial fibrillation symptoms can occur because your heart is not pumping as efficiently as it should. This can affect your functional status, reducing your ability to perform daily activities. These symptoms include the following:
How to Identify Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
When Should You Worry About AFib Symptoms?
Your healthcare provider can advise you when AFib symptoms are a cause for concern. Consult your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms that are common with atrial fibrillation:
When AFib Requires Emergency CareSome AFib episodes require emergency care. Contact your healthcare provider if your AFib episode lasts 24 to 48 hours without stopping or if symptoms worsen. Call 911 or go to an emergency room if you have any of the following symptoms:Sudden weakness or numbnessDifficulty speaking or seeingPassing out or feeling like you’re going to pass outSignificant shortness of breathSevere light-headednessCold or clammy sensationChest pain that persists longer than five to 10 minutes without an AFib episode (may indicate a heart attack)
When AFib Requires Emergency Care
Some AFib episodes require emergency care. Contact your healthcare provider if your AFib episode lasts 24 to 48 hours without stopping or if symptoms worsen. Call 911 or go to an emergency room if you have any of the following symptoms:Sudden weakness or numbnessDifficulty speaking or seeingPassing out or feeling like you’re going to pass outSignificant shortness of breathSevere light-headednessCold or clammy sensationChest pain that persists longer than five to 10 minutes without an AFib episode (may indicate a heart attack)
Some AFib episodes require emergency care. Contact your healthcare provider if your AFib episode lasts 24 to 48 hours without stopping or if symptoms worsen. Call 911 or go to an emergency room if you have any of the following symptoms:
Dangers of Untreated Atrial Fibrillation
Untreated atrial fibrillation often causes your heart to beat rapidly and less efficiently. The effect can weaken your heart and reduce its ability to pump blood. The most serious complications of untreated AFib include the following:
AFib With Rapid Ventricular Response (RVR)
Rapid ventricular rate (RVR) is a complication of atrial fibrillation that affects the rate at which your ventricles (two lower chambers of your heart) contract. This rate of contraction defines your heart rate.
AFib causes the atria to generate erratic electrical signals that cause a rapid beat. When these signals are sent to your ventricles, they may or may not cause symptoms.
Testing to Diagnose Atrial Fibrillation
Testing to diagnose atrial fibrillation confirms the cause of an irregular heartbeat so you can begin treatment and reduce your risk of serious health threats. To make a diagnosis, your healthcare provider uses one or more of the following procedures:
How Fitness Trackers Can Help Reduce AFib and Stroke Risk
AFib Treatment
AFib treatmentincludes several different approaches. Treatment can involve medication, devices, and/or surgery. The method of treatment you receive depends on factors such as the type of atrial fibrillation you have, your treatment goals, age, and other medical conditions.
Medication
Medication can be used to prevent blood clots, slow your heart rate, or restore your heart’s normal rhythm. Medications commonly used to treat atrial fibrillation include the following:
Beta-blockers:These medications slow the rate at which your ventricles pump blood throughout your body. Commonly used beta-blockers for atrial fibrillation include:
Calcium channel blockers:These medications reduce the amount of calcium that flows to your heart muscle cells and the cell walls of your arteries. They include the following:
Antiarrhythmic:These medications work to restore and maintain normal heart rhythm.
Anticoagulants:These medications prevent blood clot formation or treat an existing blood clot. The most commonly used anticoagulant for atrial fibrillation isJantoven(warfarin).
Antiplatelets:These medications target the activation of platelets to prevent blood clots. The most commonly used antiplatelet for atrial fibrillation is aspirin.
Procedures and Surgery
Treatment for atrial fibrillation also includes surgical and nonsurgical procedures. These therapies include the following:
How Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Is Treated
Does Treatment Fix Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation is a lifelong condition that can’t be cured. However, symptoms can be managed with proper medical treatment and oversight.
The right treatment can help prevent blood clots, slow a rapid heartbeat, or restore your heart’s normal rhythm so you can live an active life. While successful treatment may restore a normal heart rhythm, atrial fibrillation eventually recurs in most people.
Living a Healthy Life With AFib
Living a healthy life with AFib is important for reducing your risk of atrial fibrillation events. Your healthcare provider can discuss the best strategy for your condition. Recommendations for living a healthy life with AFib often include the following:
Outlook for AFib
Atrial fibrillation can have a serious impact on your health. While the cause of death varies widely, mortality rates are generally four times higher in people with atrial fibrillation than in the general population.
However, the actual cause of death varies greatly. For most people, complications from atrial fibrillation, such as stroke, heart disease, and heart failure, rather than the disease itself, contribute to higher mortality rates.
Early diagnosis and treatment with medication, devices, and/or surgery can help control your heart rate and rhythm and prevent blood clots. Lifestyle changes can also reduce your risk of complications and improve your prognosis.
How Treatment Improves Atrial Fibrillation Life Expectancy
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Joglar JA, Chung MK, Armbruster AL, et al.2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS guideline for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines[published correction appears in Circulation. 2024 Jan 2;149(1):e167].Circulation. 2024;149(1):e1-e156. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001193National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.What is atrial fibrillation?National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Atrial fibrillation: causes and risk factors.American Heart Association.What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?UC Davis Health.When to worry about AFib.UNC Health.You’ve been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. Now what?American Heart Association.Why atrial fibrillation matters.UpBeat (Heart Rhythm Society).Atrial fibrillation (AFib).American Heart Association.Atrial fibrillation medications.University of Utah.Atrial fibrillation (AF/AFIB).Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).Atrial fibrillation: restoring a normal heart rhythm: the pros and cons.Pharmacy Times.Living with atrial fibrillation.Lee E, Choi EK, Han KD, et al.Mortality and causes of death in patients with atrial fibrillation: A nationwide population-based study.PLoS One. December 26, 2018;13(12):e0209687. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0209687Chung MK, Eckhardt LL, Chen LY, et al.Lifestyle and risk factor modification for reduction of atrial fibrillation: a scientific statement from the American heart association.Circulation. 2020;141(16). doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000748
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Joglar JA, Chung MK, Armbruster AL, et al.2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS guideline for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines[published correction appears in Circulation. 2024 Jan 2;149(1):e167].Circulation. 2024;149(1):e1-e156. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001193National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.What is atrial fibrillation?National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Atrial fibrillation: causes and risk factors.American Heart Association.What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?UC Davis Health.When to worry about AFib.UNC Health.You’ve been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. Now what?American Heart Association.Why atrial fibrillation matters.UpBeat (Heart Rhythm Society).Atrial fibrillation (AFib).American Heart Association.Atrial fibrillation medications.University of Utah.Atrial fibrillation (AF/AFIB).Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).Atrial fibrillation: restoring a normal heart rhythm: the pros and cons.Pharmacy Times.Living with atrial fibrillation.Lee E, Choi EK, Han KD, et al.Mortality and causes of death in patients with atrial fibrillation: A nationwide population-based study.PLoS One. December 26, 2018;13(12):e0209687. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0209687Chung MK, Eckhardt LL, Chen LY, et al.Lifestyle and risk factor modification for reduction of atrial fibrillation: a scientific statement from the American heart association.Circulation. 2020;141(16). doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000748
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Joglar JA, Chung MK, Armbruster AL, et al.2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS guideline for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines[published correction appears in Circulation. 2024 Jan 2;149(1):e167].Circulation. 2024;149(1):e1-e156. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001193National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.What is atrial fibrillation?National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Atrial fibrillation: causes and risk factors.American Heart Association.What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?UC Davis Health.When to worry about AFib.UNC Health.You’ve been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. Now what?American Heart Association.Why atrial fibrillation matters.UpBeat (Heart Rhythm Society).Atrial fibrillation (AFib).American Heart Association.Atrial fibrillation medications.University of Utah.Atrial fibrillation (AF/AFIB).Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).Atrial fibrillation: restoring a normal heart rhythm: the pros and cons.Pharmacy Times.Living with atrial fibrillation.Lee E, Choi EK, Han KD, et al.Mortality and causes of death in patients with atrial fibrillation: A nationwide population-based study.PLoS One. December 26, 2018;13(12):e0209687. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0209687Chung MK, Eckhardt LL, Chen LY, et al.Lifestyle and risk factor modification for reduction of atrial fibrillation: a scientific statement from the American heart association.Circulation. 2020;141(16). doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000748
Joglar JA, Chung MK, Armbruster AL, et al.2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS guideline for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines[published correction appears in Circulation. 2024 Jan 2;149(1):e167].Circulation. 2024;149(1):e1-e156. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001193
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.What is atrial fibrillation?
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Atrial fibrillation: causes and risk factors.
American Heart Association.What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?
UC Davis Health.When to worry about AFib.
UNC Health.You’ve been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. Now what?
American Heart Association.Why atrial fibrillation matters.
UpBeat (Heart Rhythm Society).Atrial fibrillation (AFib).
American Heart Association.Atrial fibrillation medications.
University of Utah.Atrial fibrillation (AF/AFIB).
Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).Atrial fibrillation: restoring a normal heart rhythm: the pros and cons.
Pharmacy Times.Living with atrial fibrillation.
Lee E, Choi EK, Han KD, et al.Mortality and causes of death in patients with atrial fibrillation: A nationwide population-based study.PLoS One. December 26, 2018;13(12):e0209687. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0209687
Chung MK, Eckhardt LL, Chen LY, et al.Lifestyle and risk factor modification for reduction of atrial fibrillation: a scientific statement from the American heart association.Circulation. 2020;141(16). doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000748
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