Atrial Fibrillation

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Basics

• Summary
• Start Here
• Diagnosis and Tests
• Treatments and Therapies

Learn More

• Related Issues
• Specifics
• Genetics

See, Play and Learn

• Videos and Tutorials

Research

• Clinical Trials
• Journal Articles

Resources

• Reference Desk
• Find an Expert

For You

• Children
• Patient Handouts

Summary

An arrhythmia is a problem with the speed or rhythm of the heartbeat. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of arrhythmia. The cause is a disorder in the heart's electrical system.

Often, people who have AF may not even feel symptoms. But you may feel

• Palpitations -- an abnormal rapid heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness or difficulty exercising
• Chest pain
• Dizziness or fainting
• Fatigue
• Confusion

AF can lead to an increased risk of stroke. In many patients, it can also cause chest pain, heart attack, or heart failure.

Doctors diagnose AF using family and medical history, a physical exam, and a test called an electrocardiogram (EKG), which looks at the electrical waves your heart makes. Treatments include medicines and procedures to restore normal rhythm.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Start Here

• Atrial Fibrillation (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
• What Is Atrial Fibrillation? (American Heart Association) - PDF

Diagnosis and Tests

• Heart Health Tests: MedlinePlus Health Topic (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
• Holter and Event Monitors (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
• Recognizing an Irregular Heart Rhythm (American Osteopathic Association)

Treatments and Therapies

• Antiarrhythmics (Texas Heart Institute) Also in Spanish
• Atrial Fibrillation Medications (American Heart Association)
• Cardioversion (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) Also in Spanish
• Catheter Ablation (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) Also in Spanish
• Maze Surgery (Texas Heart Institute) Also in Spanish
• Treatment Guidelines of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib or AF) (American Heart Association)

Related Issues

• Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
• Device Interventions for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation (American Heart Association)
• High Blood Pressure, Afib and Your Risk of Stroke (American Heart Association)
• Substances and Heart Rhythm Disorders (Heart Rhythm Society)

Specifics

• Tachycardia (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish

Genetics

• Genetics Home Reference: familial atrial fibrillation (National Library of Medicine)

Videos and Tutorials

• Heartbeat (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Atrial Fibrillation (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Comparison of dabigatran and warfarin used in patients with non-valvular...
• Article: Competitive Endurance Activities of Middle-aged Athletes as a Risk Factor...
• Article: Relationship between P-wave duration and the risk of atrial fibrillation.
• Atrial Fibrillation -- see more articles

Reference Desk

• Heart and Stroke Encyclopedia (American Heart Association)
• Heart Information Center (Texas Heart Institute) Also in Spanish
• How the Heart Works (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

Find an Expert

• American Heart Association
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Children

• Atrial Fibrillation in Children (American Heart Association)

Patient Handouts

• Atrial fibrillation - discharge (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Atrial fibrillation or flutter (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Cardiac ablation procedures (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Electrocardiogram (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
• Holter monitor (24h) (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish