What does atrial fibrillation feel like?

With atrial fibrillation, you may notice an irregular heartbeat, like your heart is skipping a beat or adding extra beats. You may notice that your sleep is affected because of a rapid, irregular heartbeat. You may find it harder to catch your breath. You might experience extreme fatigue, chest pain, or pain in the jaw.

You could have atrial fibrillation and not even know it. Many people live with atrial fibrillation and don't realize it until they go to their doctor's office and the physician checks their heart with a stethoscope. If you have atrial fibrillation, you may have one or more of the following symptoms:

• A rapid heartbeat
• A racing pulse
• A slow pulse
• Fluttering or pounding in your chest (palpitations)
• A heartbeat that feels chaotic or irregular
• A regular pulse
• Difficulty catching your breath
• Feeling faint or dizzy
• Fatigue

These symptoms can stop and go without any medical treatment. If you notice any of these symptoms, let your doctor check out your heart. Getting the right treatment and atrial fibrillation medication is important to prevent blood clots and stroke.