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).

Causes of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is caused by a problem with the electrical system that makes your heart beat.

Anyone can get it, but you may be more likely to get it if:

• you're aged 55 or older
• you're a man
• you're living with obesity or overweight
• you smoke
• you take certain medicines, such as levothyroxine, lithium or some asthma medicines like salbutamol
• you do endurance sports like long-distance running, cycling or skiing

Atrial fibrillation can also be caused by another condition such as:

• high blood pressure
• heart conditions like heart failure, mitral valve problems or Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
• a heart attack
• chronic kidney disease
• an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
• diabetes
• sleep apnoea

How atrial fibrillation affects your life

There is currently no cure for atrial fibrillation, but treatment should help manage the symptoms and lower the risk of complications like blood clots, stroke and heart failure.

You should be able to carry on doing most things as usual, including exercise. But avoid intense exercise and try not to exercise when you're having symptoms of atrial fibrillation. Check with your doctor if you're not sure what exercise you can do.

If you drive you may need to tell the DVLA that you have atrial fibrillation. Your doctor will be able to tell you if this applies to you.

There might also be other practical things you need to think about if you have a heart condition, like travelling abroad with medicine, and changes to health or travel insurance.

Help and support for atrial fibrillation

While atrial fibrillation can usually be managed, living with a heart condition can be worrying.

You may find it helpful to get support from other people with atrial fibrillation, either at a local support group or online.

There are also national charities that can offer information, help and support.