Atrial Fibrillation: Symptoms, Types, Risk Factors, And Ways To Prevent It

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Atrial fibrillation (AF, AFib) is the most common type of arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). In atrial fibrillation, your heart’s upper chambers (called atria) are out of sync with ventricles. Atria contract too fast and/or irregularly. As a result, blood accumulates in the atria, and the ventricles can’t pump blood properly to the rest of your body.

Sometimes, atrial fibrillation shows no symptoms, and you only learn you have it after you have a regular check-up or end up in the hospital after a cardiac event. But if the symptoms are present, they include the following:

- palpitations (they feel like your heart is fluttering, skipping a beat, or beating too fast);

- weakness;

- extreme tiredness;

- shortness of breath;

- dizziness;

- confusion;

- pressure and/or pain in the chest;

- difficulty exercising.

If you have these symptoms, contact your health care provider.

Depending on the duration, AF may be:

- occasional (paroxysmal) AF – lasts minutes or hours, usually stops on its own;


- persistent AF – lasts more than a week, may stop on its own, but often requires treatment;

- long-standing persistent AF – lasts longer than a year;

- permanent AF – normal heart rhythm can’t be restored, this type is treated with medications in most cases.

Risk factors for developing atrial fibrillation include:

- old age;

- heart problems, such as congenital heart defects or coronary artery disease;

- having had a heart surgery in the past;

- high blood pressure;

- other health conditions, including hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), diabetes, sleep apnea, metabolic syndrome, kidney disease and lung disease;

- having a close relative with AF;

- excessive consumption of alcohol;

- emotional or physical stress;

- being overweight or obese.

People who have atrial fibrillation are at a high risk of stroke and heart failure.

To prevent atrial fibrillation and reduce the risk of complications you can do the following:

- eat a heart-healthy diet;

- get enough exercise;

- if you smoke, quit;

- limit you consumption of alcohol and caffeinated beverages;

- keep your BMI within normal range;

- control your blood pressure and your levels of cholesterol and blood sugar;

- strictly follow your treatment plan.