What is Atrial Fibrillation?

Suspected AFIB Conditions That May Require Heart Monitoring

SUSPECTED ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Atrial fibrillation (also referred to as AF or AFib) is a common condition in which the upper chambers of the heart, or atria, fibrillate. This means that they beat very fast and irregularly so the heart can’t pump blood effectively to the rest of the body.

AFib is a serious medical condition that can increase the risk of stroke by five timesand over time, could lead to heart failure.

NORMAL HEARTBEAT

A small pulse of electric current spreads quickly through the heart to make the muscle contract.

Normal Heartbeat

ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

In atrial fibrillation, the heart’s upper chambers quiver faster than the rest of the heart.

If left untreated, AF as a disease continues to progress. There are three main types of AF:

Paroxysmal (occasional) – AF occurs from a few seconds to days, then stops on its own
Persistent – AF will last for more than seven days and will not correct on its own
Permanent – AF is a consistently high, erratic heartbeat that cannot be corrected

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I EXPERIENCE ATRIAL FIBRILLATION?

SYMPTOMS

Irregular heartbeats
Thumping or pounding heartbeats
A feeling that the heart is racing
Chest discomfort
Fainting or light-headedness
Fatigue, shortness of breath or weakness

However, some people have no symptoms and discover that they have AFib at a doctor’s appointment. Even for people who have no symptoms, AFib is a serious medical condition that can lead to complications.

MANAGEABLE RISK FACTORS

Some risk factors that contribute to AFib can be controlled or modified, like managing high blood pressure and reducing alcohol consumption. Controllable risk factors include:

High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Heart disease
Smoking
Excess weight
Metabolic syndrome
Stress
Alcohol abuse
Lack of exercise
Some medications
Sleep apnea
Thyroid disorders

NON-CONTROLLABLE RISK FACTORS

Family history
Advancing age
Heart disorders from birth
Gender — males have a higher incidence of AFib

For more information please review the patient brochure below:

Finding Answers About Atrial Fibrillation (.pdf)

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CAUSES

The causes of AF are often unclear. In some cases, AF may be the result of:

Heart abnormality from birth
Damage to the heart structure from a heart attack
Heart valve problem

People with otherwise normal hearts may also develop AF.

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HEART MONITORING CAN UNLOCK THE ANSWERS

If you have atrial fibrillation (AFib), or your doctor suspects that you do, heart monitoring may be necessary to determine how often and how long it occurs.

Sometimes episodes of AFib are infrequent and require longer-term monitoring and in some cases, your doctor may also want to monitor how effective different treatments are at keeping your AFib under control. Types of heart monitoring vary in terms of how long they can be used and how information is captured:

Holter Monitors
Event Recorders
Mobile Cardiac Telemetry Systems
Insertable Cardiac Monitoring Systems

Learn More About Heart Monitors

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TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR

These talking points will help you remember important information related to your symptoms to share with your healthcare team.

REMEMBER TO SHARE:

A description of your symptoms (if applicable)
The number of episodes you’ve had in the past 2 years
What you were doing before you had symptoms
Any concerns you have (e.g., safety, your job, driving)
Any treatments you are receiving for your heart
If your family has a history of heart conditions
How your symptoms are affecting your home and work life

REMEMBER TO ASK:

How will you determine if I have a heart condition?
What tests will you perform?
Would long-term monitoring with an insertable cardiac monitor lead to a faster diagnosis?
What should I do when I experience symptoms?
Should I be concerned about my symptoms?
Will I need treatment? If so, what kind of treatment? What other alternatives are there?
Do I need to restrict any activities?
Is it safe for me to exercise and go about my other daily activities?
Should I see a specialist?

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Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.