Atrial fibrillation

Symptoms

The main symptoms of atrial fibrillation are:

• an irregular heartbeat, where your pulse is not steady
• suddenly feeling like your heart is pounding, racing, fluttering, skipping or missing a beat (heart palpitations) – this may last for a few seconds up to a few minutes
• a heartbeat faster than 100 beats per minute
• feeling very tired
• finding it harder to exercise
• chest pain or tightness
• feeling short of breath, lightheaded, dizzy or like you might faint

Sometimes there are no symptoms, and atrial fibrillation is found as part of a routine check-up or when you're having tests for something else.

If you do get symptoms, they may start and stop on their own (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) or stop after treatment (persistent atrial fibrillation).

Over time, you may always have symptoms (permanent atrial fibrillation).

Diagnosis

If a GP thinks you could have atrial fibrillation, they will refer you to a heart specialist (cardiologist).

At your appointment, they will ask about your symptoms and check your heart rate.

You will also have tests to see if anything else could be causing your symptoms and to check your heart rhythm. Tests may include:

• an electrocardiogram (ECG)
• an echocardiogram (echo)
• a chest X-ray
• blood tests

Treatment Options

If you have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, you will have regular check-ups to make sure your symptoms are under control.

You may be given medicine to:

• control the rate and rhythm of your heart, such as beta blockers
• lower the risk of blood clots or stroke (anticoagulants)

Other possible treatments for atrial fibrillation include:

• surgery to burn or freeze a section of the heart (ablation)
• using electricity to reset your heart rhythm (electrical cardioversion)
• having a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) fitted

Sometimes atrial fibrillation can be caused by another health condition or medicine. In these cases, treating the condition or stopping the medicine can improve the symptoms.

Things you can do yourself to help with atrial fibrillation

In addition to treatment you might need, there are things you can do yourself to help with symptoms of atrial fibrillation and lower the chances of complications.

Do:

• avoid triggers such as caffeine, spicy food, stress, dehydration and lack of sleep
• try to keep to a healthy weight
• eat a balanced diet
• exercise regularly – aim to do at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, like walking, bike riding or gardening

Don't:

• do not smoke
• do not drink too much alcohol
• do not exercise too much or too hard – this can trigger atrial fibrillation

When To See A Doctor

See a GP if:

• you think you may have symptoms of atrial fibrillation
• you have heart palpitations that keep happening or are getting worse
• you have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and treatment is not helping your symptoms

Call an ambulance or go to the emergency department if:

You currently have a fast or irregular heartbeat, and any of these symptoms:

• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• sweating
• feeling or being sick
• fainting, feeling dizzy or falling over
• a severe headache
• weakness or numbness on one side of your face or body
• blurred vision or loss of sight
• confusion or difficulty speaking