Classifications of Atrial FibrillationParoxysmal Atrial FibrillationIn paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), the abnormal electrical signals and rapid heart rate begin suddenly and then stop on their own. Symptoms can be mild or severe and last for seconds, minutes, hours, or days.
Persistent Atrial FibrillationPersistent AF is a condition in which the abnormal heart rhythm continues until it’s stopped with treatment.
Permanent Atrial FibrillationPermanent AF is a condition in which the normal heart rhythm can’t be restored with the usual treatments. Both paroxysmal and persistent atrial fibrillation may become more frequent and eventually result in permanent AF.
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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation?
Signs and Symptoms
Atrial fibrillation (AF) usually causes the ventricles to contract faster than normal. When this happens, the ventricles don’t have enough time to fill completely with blood to pump to the lungs and body. This inefficient pumping can cause signs and symptoms, such as:
- Palpitations (a strong feeling of a fast heartbeat or a “thumping” in the chest)
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness or difficulty exercising
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or fainting
- Fatigue (tiredness)
- Confusion
Complications
Atrial Fibrillation has two major complications—stroke and heart failure. Heart attack is another, rarer complication.
Stroke
During atrial fibrillation, the atria don’t pump all of their blood to the ventricles. Some blood pools in the atria. When this happens, a blood clot ( called thrombus) can form. If the clot breaks off and travels to the brain, it can cause a stroke. (A clot that forms in one part of the body and travels in the bloodstream to another part of the body is called an embolus.)
Blood-thinning medicines to reduce the risk of stroke are a very important part of treatment for patients who have atrial fibrillation..
Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke
The illustration shows how a stroke can occur during atrial fibrillation. If a clot (thrombus) forms in the left atrium of the heart, a piece of it can dislodge and travel to an artery in the brain, blocking blood flow through the artery. The lack of blood flow to the portion of the brain fed by the artery causes a stroke.
Heart Failure
Heart failure occurs when the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. Because the ventricles are beating very fast and aren’t able to properly fill with blood to pump out to the body, atrial fibrillation can lead to heart failure.
Fatigue and shortness of breath are common symptoms of heart failure. A buildup of fluid in the lungs causes these symptoms. Fluid also can build up in the feet, ankles, and legs, causing weight gain.
Lifestyle changes, medicines, and sometimes special care (rarely, a mechanical heart pump or heart transplant) are the main treatments for heart failure
How Is Atrial Fibrillation Treated?
Treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) depends on how severe or frequent the symptoms are and whether you already have heart disease. General treatment options include medicines, medical procedures, and lifestyle changes.
Goals of Treatment
Treatment of atrial fibrillation is designed to:
- Prevent blood clots from forming, and thereby reduce the risk for stroke.
- Control how many times a minute the ventricles contract. This is called rate control. Rate control is important because it allows the ventricles enough time to completely fill with blood. With this approach, the irregular heart rhythm continues, but the person feels better and has fewer symptoms.
- Restore the heart to a normal rhythm. This is called rhythm control. Rhythm control allows the atria and ventricles to work together again to efficiently pump blood to the body.
- Treat any underlying disorder that’s causing or raising the risk of AF—for example, hyperthyroidism.