Guide To Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms

Shortness Of Breath

The shortness of breath associated with atrial fibrillation occurs most frequently when the patient is lying down. Patients may feel as though they cannot get enough air. To evaluate shortness of breath, doctors will listen to the patient's breathing with a stethoscope, and the patient might also need to have lung function tests, echocardiograms, blood tests, or scans of the chest. Patients with atrial fibrillation should inform their doctor about any increase or change in their shortness of breath, and they may want to ask for advice about activities to avoid and ways to minimize this symptom. Since shortness of breath can be a sign of a heart attack, patients who experience this symptom in conjunction with chest pain or nausea should seek emergency medical care.