cardioversion – where the heart is given a controlled electric shock to restore normal rhythm.medication to control the heart rate or rhythm.medication to prevent a stroke (people with atrial fibrillation are more at risk of having a stroke).But the condition can be uncomfortable and often requires treatment. Treating atrial fibrillationĪtrial fibrillation is not usually life threatening. It may be triggered by certain situations, such as drinking too much alcohol or smoking, or taking some medication. More men than women have atrial fibrillation.Ītrial fibrillation is more likely to occur in people with other conditions including: It affects about 7 in 100 people aged over 65. It can affect adults of any age, but it's more common in older people. Usually the cause is known but sometimes it is not fully understood. Causes of atrial fibrillationĪtrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disturbance. This can cause symptoms depending on how much the flow is reduced.

This reduces the blood flow, from the heart, round the body. The heart's upper chambers (atria) contract randomly and sometimes so fast that the heart muscle cannot relax properly between contractions. In atrial fibrillation abnormal electrical impulses suddenly start firing in the atria. This causes you to have a highly irregular pulse rate. This process is repeated every time the heart beats. They then relax so the heart can fill with blood again. When the heart beats normally, its muscular walls contract (tighten and squeeze) to force blood out and around the body. If you are unable to contact them, call 999. Speak to your GP urgently or contact GP out of hours service if you have palpitations and feel unwell, or if you have chest pain. your heart rate is consistently lower than 60 or above 100, particularly if you're experiencing other symptoms of atrial fibrillation, (see above).you notice a change in your heartbeat which does not go away, or keeps happening.

You should make an appointment to see your GP if: An ECG is a test that records the rhythm and electrical activity of your heart. ElectrocardiogramĪn electrocardiogram (ECG) can be used to confirm a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. This can lead to low blood pressure (hypotension) and heart failure. The way the heart beats in atrial fibrillation reduces the heart's performance and efficiency.

tiredness and being less able to exercise.

Other symptoms you may experience if you have atrial fibrillation include: You can work out your heart rate by checking the pulse in your neck or wrist. This is where the heart feels like it's pounding, fluttering or beating irregularly, often for a few seconds or possibly a few minutes.Īs well as an irregular heartbeat, your heart may also beat very fast (often much higher than 100 beats per minute). The most obvious symptom of atrial fibrillation is heart palpitations. But once normal rhythm is restored, they realise these symptoms were caused by atrial fibrillation. People often link tiredness and feeling lethargic to ageing. The abnormality in heart rhythm is often only discovered during routine tests or investigations for another condition.

Some people with atrial fibrillation, particularly older people, do not have any symptoms. In some cases, it can be considerably higher than 100 beats a minute. In atrial fibrillation, the heart rate is irregular and can sometimes be very fast. You can measure your heart rate by feeling the pulse in your neck or wrist. Heart rateĪ normal heart rate should be regular and between 60 and 100 beats a minute when you're resting. Speak to your GP immediately or contact GP out of hours service if you notice a sudden change in your heartbeat, that makes you feel unwell, or if you have chest pain.

Atrial fibrillation is a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate.

A flutter vs a fib