Atrial fibrillation (AFib or AF) is a heart rhythm disorder where your heart beats irregularly and rapidly. A normal resting heart rate is 60 to 100 beats per minute. With AFib, it can range from 100 to 175 beats per minute. AFib is the most common heart rhythm problem.
To understand AFib, it helps to know how the heart muscle works. The heart is made up of four chambers. There are two upper chambers, called atria, and two lower chambers, called ventricles.
The heart’s upper right chamber contains a cluster of cells called the sinoatrial node (SA node). Every time your heart beats, a signal starts at the SA node. It then travels to the other chambers to make them contract and push blood out to the body.
Normally, these signals tell your heart to contract and relax in a regular rhythm. In AFib, your heart’s electrical signals don’t always work correctly. The heart’s upper chambers (atria) quiver instead fcontracting properly, causing irregular heartbeats. So inconsistent amounts of blood pump out of the heart to the rest of the body.
AFib can cause complications such as blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related issues. It can affect people of all ages, but it is more common in older people.
If you have AFib, you may not notice any symptoms. This is why it’s important to learn about the risk factors and have regular screenings, especially as you get older. Finding AFib early and managing it properly can reduce the risk of complications and improve your quality of life.
With atrial fibrillation, you may not notice symptoms. If you do, they may range from mild to severe. Common symptoms are:
If you have any symptoms of AFib, contact a health care provider right away, even if the symptoms are mild or they come and go. A provider can help diagnose AFib and start treatment to manage it and lower your risk of complications.
Seek immediate medical care for:
Atrial fibrillation could be caused by:
These factors put you at higher risk for atrial fibrillation:
Maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, managing stress, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol may help reduce your risk of developing AFib and improve your overall heart health.
If you’re at risk for AFib, talk to your health care provider about screenings.
Learn more about diagnosing and treating atrial fibrillation.