Atrial fibrillation (sometimes called afib or AF) is a type of heart rhythm problem where your heartbeat is not steady. See a GP if you think you may have it.

Symptoms of atrial fibrillation

The main symptoms of atrial fibrillation are:

• an irregular heartbeat, where your pulse is not steady
• suddenly feeling like your heart is pounding, racing, fluttering, skipping or missing a beat (heart palpitations) – this may last for a few seconds up to a few minutes
• a heartbeat faster than 100 beats per minute
• feeling very tired
• finding it harder to exercise
• chest pain or tightness
• feeling short of breath, lightheaded, dizzy or like you might faint

Sometimes there are no symptoms, and atrial fibrillation is found as part of a routine check-up or when you're having tests for something else.

If you do get symptoms, they may start and stop on their own (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) or stop after treatment (persistent atrial fibrillation).

Over time, you may always have symptoms (permanent atrial fibrillation).

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

• you think you may have symptoms of atrial fibrillation
• you have heart palpitations that keep happening or are getting worse
• you have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and treatment is not helping your symptoms

Immediate action required: Call 999 if:

You currently have a fast or irregular heartbeat, and any of these symptoms:

• chest pain
• shortness of breath
• sweating
• feeling or being sick
• fainting, feeling dizzy or falling over
• a severe headache
• weakness or numbness on one side of your face or body
• blurred vision or loss of sight
• confusion or difficulty speaking

Information:

Do not drive yourself to A&E.

The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.

Tests for atrial fibrillation

If a GP thinks you could have atrial fibrillation, they will refer you to a heart specialist (cardiologist).

At your appointment, they will ask about your symptoms and check your heart rate.

You will also have tests to see if anything else could be causing your symptoms and to check your heart rhythm. Tests may include:

• an electrocardiogram (ECG)
• an echocardiogram (echo)
• a chest X-ray
• blood tests

Things you can do yourself to help with atrial fibrillation

In addition to treatment you might need, there are things you can do yourself to help with symptoms of atrial fibrillation and lower the chances of complications.

Do

• avoid triggers such as caffeine, spicy food, stress, dehydration and lack of sleep
• try to keep to a healthy weight
• eat a balanced diet
• exercise regularly – aim to do at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, like walking, bike riding or gardening

Don't

• do not smoke
• do not drink too much alcohol
• do not exercise too much or too hard – this can trigger atrial fibrillation

Information:

NHS help to get healthy

NHS Better Health has free tools and support to help you lose weight, get active, quit smoking and drink less.