Everything You Need To Know About Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular, sometimes rapid heart rate that increases an individual's risk of heart-related complications including stroke and heart failure. The atria, the heart's upper chambers, beat out of sync with the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart. Atrial fibrillation is the most common condition of irregular heart rhythm and exists in at least one percent of the population. The condition becomes more common as age increases. It is rare in young people and more common in individuals over eighty years old.

Symptoms Of Atrial Fibrillation

Not all patients experience symptoms of atrial fibrillation, but those who do may experience the following: shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, weakness, confusion, light-headedness, poor exercise tolerance, and sweating. These symptoms are usually related to insufficient blood flow. Patients may also feel racing or flip-flopping sensations in their heart that cause discomfort. The feeling of pressure or pain in the chest may indicate a heart attack is about to occur, and immediate emergency medical attention should be sought out. Symptoms of atrial fibrillation may be occasional, persistent, or permanent. Occasional symptoms may be felt for minutes or hours, disappear and return later, persistent symptoms do not go away and require medical attention, and permanent symptoms will always be present and require medication for heart rate control.