What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?
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Dr. Michael Roizen answered:You would think it would be hard to miss if your heart suddenly started beating like it was doing an extended jazz drum solo, but you may not be bothered. However, you’re not alone if you feel fatigued, out of breath, have a fluttering heartbeat, pain in your chest, or are completely exhausted and unable to move. Take these symptoms seriously and get to a doctor ASAP.You would think it would be hard to miss if your heart suddenly started beating like it was doing an extended jazz drum solo, but you may not be bothered. However, you’re not alone if you feel fatigued, out of breath, have a fluttering... More -
Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:Atrial fibrillation itself is not acutely life threatening. It doesn’t cause heart attacks or cardiac arrest, but instead, some patients with atrial fibrillation experience symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, especially with exertion, light headedness and fatigue.It is important to remember that if you experience chest pain, heart palpitations and shortness of breath, you should go to the ER to rule out the possibility of a heart attack.
Atrial fibrillation itself is not acutely life threatening. It doesn’t cause heart attacks or cardiac arrest, but instead, some patients with atrial fibrillation experience symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, especially... More -
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answered:Atrial fibrillation, the most common type of serious arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), is characterized by very fast, irregular electrical signals in the upper chambers of the heart called the atria. These electrical signals may travel through the atria at a rate of more than 300 per minute.
The walls of the atria quiver very quickly, making them pump blood ineffectively. The bottom chambers of the heart, called the ventricles, continue to contract and pump blood normally; however, they may do so in a rapid and irregular fashion.
When symptoms of atrial fibrillation occur, they may include palpitations, anxiety, dizziness, fainting or the feeling of nearly fainting, sweating, shortness of breath, and/or chest pain.
Atrial fibrillation, the most common type of serious arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), is characterized by very fast, irregular electrical signals in the upper chambers of the heart called the atria. These electrical signals may travel through the... More -
Dr. William D. Knopf of Piedmont Heart Institute answered:Atrial fibrillation (AF) usually causes the ventricles to contract faster than normal. When this happens, the ventricles don't have enough time to fill completely with blood to pump to the lungs and body.
This inefficient pumping can cause signs and symptoms, such as:
- Palpitations (feelings that your heart is skipping a beat, fluttering, or beating too hard or fast)
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness or difficulty exercising
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or fainting
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Confusion
Atrial Fibrillation Complications
AF has two major complications—stroke and heart failure.
Stroke
During AF, the atria don't pump all of their blood to the ventricles. Some blood pools in the atria. When this happens, a blood clot (also called a thrombus) can form.
If the clot breaks off and travels to the brain, it can cause a stroke. (A clot that forms in one part of the body and travels in the bloodstream to another part of the body is called an embolus.)
Blood-thinning medicines to reduce the risk of stroke are a very important part of treatment for people who have AF.
Heart Failure
Heart failure occurs when the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. AF can lead to heart failure because the ventricles are beating very fast and aren't able to properly fill with blood to pump out to the body.
Fatigue and shortness of breath are common symptoms of heart failure. A buildup of fluid in the lungs causes these symptoms. Fluid also can build up in the feet, ankles, and legs, causing weight gain.
Lifestyle changes, medicines, and sometimes special care (rarely, a mechanical heart pump or heart transplant) are the main treatments for heart failure.
This answer from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute has been reviewed and/or edited by Dr. William D. Knopf.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) usually causes the ventricles to contract faster than normal. When this happens, the ventricles don't have enough time to fill completely with blood to pump to the lungs and body. This inefficient pumping can cause signs and... More -
American Red Cross answered:Here are some of the symptoms you may experience:
- Irregular and rapid heartbeat
- Heart palpitations or rapid thumping inside the chest
- Dizziness, sweating and chest pain or pressure
- Shortness of breath, anxiety
- Tiring more easily when exercising
- Fainting
Here are some of the symptoms you may experience: - Irregular and rapid heartbeat - Heart palpitations or rapid thumping inside the chest - Dizziness, sweating and chest pain or pressure - Shortness of breath, anxiety - Tiring more easily when... More -
Joan Haizlip answered:The symptoms of atrial fibrillation (A Fib) are different for different people. You may feel nothing; some people with atrial fibrillation only find out when their doctor discovers it with an EKG. Other symptoms include:
- palpitations
- shortness of breath
- difficulty exercising
- chest pain
- dizziness
The symptoms of atrial fibrillation (A Fib) are different for different people. You may feel nothing; some people with atrial fibrillation only find out when their doctor discovers it with an EKG. Other symptoms include: ... More -
Dr. Imran Niazi of Aurora Health Care answered:Most people with atrial fibrillation (AF) feel as if their heart is beating too fast or pounding; feeling it "jumping out of my chest!"is a common complaint. Others only feel their pulse to be irregular. Many people complain of fatigue and inability to exercise. Shortness of breath with exertion is also common. Finally, some people have no symptoms at all and cannot feel the difference between AF and normal rhythm.
Most people with atrial fibrillation (AF) feel as if their heart is beating too fast or pounding; feeling it "jumping out of my chest!"is a common complaint. Others only feel their pulse to be irregular. Many people complain of fatigue and inability... More -
Dr. M. Eyman Mortada of Aurora Health Care answered:The most common symptoms associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) include:
- Tiredness -- more than usual
- Heart palpitations -- feeling irregular, hard or fast beats in the chest
(this may start and stop suddenly) - Dizziness, lightheadedness and sometimes fainting
- Shortness of breath occurring at rest or with slight activity
- Chest discomfort or pressure-like feeling in the chest
The most common symptoms associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) include: Tiredness -- more than usual Heart palpitations -- feeling irregular, hard or fast beats in the chest (this may start and stop... More -
Dr. Ronald Mark Firth of Intermountain Healthcare answered:For some people, Afib doesn’t cause symptoms. For others, Afib can cause symptoms such as:
• palpitations -- a racing or irregular heartbeat
• chest discomfort
• shortness of breath -- difficulty getting enough breath during normal
activities or even at rest
• tiredness or weakness
• feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or confusedFor some people, Afib doesn’t cause symptoms. For others, Afib can cause symptoms such as: • palpitations -- a racing or irregular heartbeat • chest discomfort • shortness of breath -- difficulty getting enough breath... More -
Dr. Jose Nazari of NorthShore University HealthSystem answered:The most common symptom of atrial fibrillation is palpitations caused by an irregular heartbeat. But some people just feel miserable, tired, or short of breath, and they don't quite know why.
The most common symptom of atrial fibrillation is palpitations caused by an irregular heartbeat. But some people just feel miserable, tired, or short of breath, and they don't quite know why. More -
Dr. Douglas Severance answered:The main symptoms of atrial fibrillation are heart palpitations, fluttering or pounding in your chest, a rapid heartbeat, an irregular pulse, difficulty catching your breath and/or dizziness. Yet, sometimes atrial fibrillation has no symptoms at all. You may be unaware that your heart is not beating in a normal pattern, especially if it has been occurring for some time. People with atrial fibrillation often live with the condition without being aware that their heart is not in a normal rhythm. Your doctor will listen to your heart and check your pulse. Your doctor may do an electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG) to confirm any suspicion that you have atrial fibrillation. These health checks may alert your doctor that you have an arrhythmia. If the ECG does not show an arrhythmia, the doctor may ask you to wear a Holter monitor or portable ECG that you will wear for 24 to 48 hours. This ECG will give your doctor information about your heart rhythm during this time period.
The main symptoms of atrial fibrillation are heart palpitations, fluttering or pounding in your chest, a rapid heartbeat, an irregular pulse, difficulty catching your breath and/or dizziness. Yet, sometimes atrial fibrillation has no... More -
Some people with atrial fibrillation do not feel anything different. Others notice an abnormal feeling right away. If you have atrial fibrillation, you may feel a racing, uncomfortable, irregular heartbeat and a "flopping" in your chest. Dizziness, sweating, and chest pain or pressure can also occur. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, overall weakness, and the inability to exercise.Some people with atrial fibrillation do not feel anything different. Others notice an abnormal feeling right away. If you have atrial fibrillation, you may feel a racing, uncomfortable, irregular heartbeat and a "flopping" in your chest. Dizziness,... More -
Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute answered:Although some people experience no symptoms, common symptoms of atrial fibrillation include:
- Palpitations (the heart feels like it is pounding or beating rapidly)
- Light-headedness or dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- An uncomfortable feeling in the chest
- Fatigue
Although some people experience no symptoms, common symptoms of atrial fibrillation include: Palpitations (the heart feels like it is pounding or beating rapidly) Light-headedness or dizziness Shortness of breath An uncomfortable feeling in the... More -
Dr. Anthony Komaroff answered:If you have atrial fibrillation, it is common to feel your heart pause and then start up with a bit of a kick. Here's why:
In atrial fibrillation, the top parts of the heart (the atria) are beating erratically and very fast—much faster than the usual once-a-second of the normal heartbeat. Fortunately, a tollbooth called the atrioventricular (AV) node sits between the top and bottom chambers (the ventricles) of the heart. The AV node filters out some of the beats from the upper chambers. This allows the bottom chambers to pump blood at a more normal rate. The AV node is one reason why atrial fibrillation is not as serious as a rhythm problem in the ventricles.
Because the filtering of the AV node is always a bit erratic, the contractions of your ventricles, and thus your pulse, will be irregular if you are in atrial fibrillation. When the pause between two beats is long, the ventricles have extra time to fill with blood. Primed with extra blood, the ensuing heartbeat is a bit more forceful. So the pause is followed by a supercharged heartbeat. That is the "jerk" you feel after the pause. It's normal, and nothing to worry about.If you have atrial fibrillation, it is common to feel your heart pause and then start up with a bit of a kick. Here's why: In atrial fibrillation, the top parts of the heart (the atria) are beating erratically and very fast—much faster... More -
Intermountain Healthcare answered:For some people, atrial fibrillation (Afib) doesn't cause symptoms. For others, Afib can cause symptoms such as:
- Palpitations -- a racing or irregular heartbeat
- Chest discomfort
- Shortness of breath -- difficulty getting enough breath during normal activities or even at rest
- Tiredness or weakness
- Feeling dizzy, lightheaded or confused
For some people, atrial fibrillation (Afib) doesn't cause symptoms. For others, Afib can cause symptoms such as: Palpitations -- a racing or irregular heartbeat Chest discomfort Shortness of breath -- difficulty getting enough breath during... More -
UCLA Health answered:Symptoms of atrial fibrillation may include an irregular and rapid pulse, shortness of breath, weakness, confusion, dizziness, low blood pressure, chest pain, or heart failure. These symptoms are not experienced by everyone who has atrial fibrillation. Sometimes the condition isn't diagnosed until your doctor listens to your heart during an examination.
Symptoms of atrial fibrillation may include an irregular and rapid pulse, shortness of breath, weakness, confusion, dizziness, low blood pressure, chest pain, or heart failure. These symptoms are not experienced by everyone who has atrial... More -
Scripps Health answered:The most common type of abnormal heart rhythm is atrial fibrillation. Symptoms include a rapid heartbeat, heart palpitations, light-headedness, fatigue, shortness of breath and chest pain.
The most common type of abnormal heart rhythm is atrial fibrillation. Symptoms include a rapid heartbeat, heart palpitations, light-headedness, fatigue, shortness of breath and chest pain. More
