How to Know If You Have This Common Heart Arrhythmia

Here are signs that you may have AFib, a common type of abnormal heartbeat.

The human heart beats about 100,000 times per day. When it beats normally, the heart contracts and pushes blood from the upper chambers (the atria) to the lower chambers (the ventricles), where the blood is then pushed out of the heart to the rest of the body. But sometimes faulty electrical signals in the heart cause it to beat irregularly.

“When the heart beats irregularly, it is referred to as an arrythmia,” says Anil Bandari MD, PIH Health electrophysiologist. “There are several ways the heart can beat irregularly, but the most common is called atrial fibrillation or AFib.” It is estimated that about 6 million people in the U.S. have AFib and that number is expected to rise significantly in the coming years as people live longer (age increases the risk of developing AFib).

Would you know if you have AFib?

“Some people have noticeable symptoms while others may have the condition without any obvious symptoms,” says Dr. Bhandari” If you have any of the symptoms listed below or suspect you may have AFib due to another reason, talk to a doctor about having tests done to confirm or rule out the condition.

What are the symptoms of AFib?

The most common symptoms of atrial fibrillation include:

• Chest pain
• Heart palpitations (a racing, pounding or fluttering sensation)
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue/weakness

AFib may come and go quickly or it may be constant. Some people may not have symptoms at all. Without symptoms, it is hard to know if you have AFib unless a doctor orders an electrocardiogram or a heart monitor, which records your heart rhythm over a period of time.

Who can get AFib?

Anyone can develop this heart arrhythmia, but your risk increases with age. Your risk may also be higher if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, heart disease or have had heart surgery or a heart attack. People with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, sleep apnea, asthma and hyperthyroidism may also be at an increased risk of AFib. Having a family history, being an athlete or binge drinking are other risk factors.

What happens when you have AFib?

“When a person’s heart beats normally, it starts with a single electrical impulse from the right atrium of the heart,” says Dr. Bhandari. “This causes the atria to contract, which pushes blood to the ventricles. The ventricles then contract to push the blood out to the rest of the body. A normal heart rate at rest is about 60 to 100 beats per minute and this rate increases with exertion or exercise.”

In a person with AFib, electrical impulses fire from multiple places within the atria, causing them to beat very rapidly—sometimes as much as 400 or more times per minute. The ventricles can’t keep up with the rapid contractions of the atria, causing them to become out of sync. The result is that the ventricles can’t effectively push blood out of the heart to the rest of the body. This can cause blood to pool in the atria, leading to the development of blood clots, which can cause a stroke. If AFib persists, it may also cause the ventricles to beat too quickly, which can weaken them and contribute to heart failure.

AFib can lead to serious complications, so if you suspect you have the condition, see a doctor for a full evaluation and diagnosis.

To find a doctor, go to PIHHealth.org/Doctors