In addition, other tests may be required to look for associated conditions. Several ECGs or a prolonged recording may be needed for people with paroxysmal AF since the ECG is frequently normal between episodes. Formal diagnosis requires an ECG that shows the chaotic electrical activity and irregular heart rhythm. In asymptomatic individuals, this may be the only sign of the condition and finding an irregular pulse should always raise the suspicion of AF. How is AF diagnosed?ĪF causes an irregular pulse that can often easily be felt at the wrist. When the symptoms are less obvious, people may complain from breathlessness, a lack of energy or fluid retention. Īs AF becomes chronic and long-standing sudden palpitations become less common. These too are variable and include exercise, emotional stress and alcohol. Often there is no pattern to when the palpitations occur but there may be particular triggers for some people. They may start suddenly and last for a few minutes to several hours. They may be associated with chest pain, light-headedness, breathlessness and fatigue. The symptoms of AF vary between people, and many people are not aware of any symptoms at all. Left untreated, these episodes last longer and it becomes more difficult to restore the heart’s normal rhythm before eventually the heart rhythm remains irregular (i.e. Įarly in the condition, AF will occur for a short period before the heart corrects itself and returns to a normal rhythm (this is known as paroxysmal AF ). This irregularity affects the efficiency of the heart and can reduce the amount of blood it is able to pump around the body. The heart rate is highly variable and can beat very fast and in turn very slowly. This causes the heart to beat irregularly. While it is associated with other medical conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity and other types of heart disease, people who are otherwise fit and healthy may still develop AF.ĪF occurs when the electrical signals in the heart’s upper chambers, the atria, become chaotic and disordered, overriding the heart’s natural pacemaker. It is more common in men and is increasingly common as people age. It affects around 1-2% of the overall population. What is atrial fibrillation?Ītrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder. Watch CRY Patron Tom James MBE talk with Professor Sharma about his experience of finding out and living with atrial fibrillation. Read personal stories from myheart members with atrial fibrillation.
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