Atrial fibrillation
Overview
Atrial fibrillation (sometimes called afib or AF) is a type of heart rhythm problem where your heartbeat is not steady. See a GP if you think you may have it.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of atrial fibrillation are: an irregular heartbeat, where your pulse is not steadysuddenly feeling like your heart is pounding, racing, fluttering, skipping or missing a beat (heart palpitations) – this may last for a few seconds up to a few minutesa heartbeat faster than 100 beats per minutefeeling very tiredfinding it harder to exercisechest pain or tightnessfeeling short of breath, lightheaded, dizzy or like you might faint Sometimes there are no symptoms, and atrial fibrillation is found as part of a routine check-up or when you're having tests for something else. If you do get symptoms, they may start and stop on their own (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) or stop after treatment (persistent atrial fibrillation). Over time, you may always have symptoms (permanent atrial fibrillation).
Causes
Atrial fibrillation is caused by a problem with the electrical system that makes your heart beat. Anyone can get it, but you may be more likely to get it if: you're aged 55 or olderyou're a manyou're living with obesity or overweightyou smokeyou take certain medicines, such aslevothyroxine,lithiumor some asthma medicines likesalbutamolyou do endurance sports like long-distance running, cycling or skiing Atrial fibrillation can also be caused by another condition such as: high blood pressureheart conditions likeheart failure,mitral valve problemsorWolff-Parkinson-White syndromea heart attackchronic kidney diseaseanoveractive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)diabetessleep apnoea
Treatment
If you have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, you will have regular check-ups to make sure your symptoms are under control. You may be given medicine to: control the rate and rhythm of your heart, such asbeta blockerslower the risk of blood clots or stroke (anticoagulants) Other possible treatments for atrial fibrillation include: burning, freezing or using high-energy electrical pulses to destroy a section of your heart (ablation)using electricity to reset your heart rhythm (electrical cardioversion)having apacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)fitted Sometimes atrial fibrillation can be caused by another health condition or medicine. In these cases, treating the condition or stopping the medicine can improve the symptoms. British Heart Foundation: anti-arrhythmicsArrhythmia Alliance: Atrial fibrillation (AF) drug information (PDF only, 1.88MB)NHS medicines A to Z: find your medicineBritish Heart Foundation: ablationBritish Heart Foundation: cardioversion