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Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is a type of heart arrhythmia. Arrhythmias are irregular or abnormal heartbeats.
Some people describe atrial fibrillation as a “quivering heart” because it feels like your heart is fluttering in your chest.
A single episode of brief arrhythmia typically isn’t harmful. Atrial fibrillation itself isn’t always dangerous and often resolves on its own.
However, it’s often a sign of underlying heart issues, and can lead to complications and increase the risk of a heart attack if left untreated. If it occurs frequently, AFib also dramatically increases your risk of stroke.
Find a Doctor at Dignity Health to assess your heart health and risk for atrial fibrillation.
Not everyone with AFib has symptoms, and you may not realize you have AFib unless your doctor finds it during a physical exam.
When AFib symptoms are present, the most common is a fluttering feeling in your chest, or chest pain, confusion, dizziness, or feeling tired or short of breath.
Other people experience a sudden thud or dropping sensation, “heart palpitations,” or symptoms that mimic a heart attack.
Seek immediate medical care or call 911 if you have chest pain or any other signs of a heart attack.
The leading cause of AFib is damage to the heart’s electrical system, which leads to irregular heartbeats. Conditions that can cause this damage include:
If you have underlying damage to your heart muscle, some lifestyle factors are more likely to trigger episodes of arrhythmia, such as:
Depending on what causes it and the severity of the condition, atrial fibrillation may be:
People who are at higher risk for heart disease are typically also at higher risk for atrial fibrillation.
Risk factors include:
Atrial fibrillation is often hereditary or caused by aging or non-preventable underlying heart conditions.
At the same time, maintaining a healthy heart can reduce the risk of AFib for many people. Do this by:
The information contained in this article is meant for educational purposes only and should not replace advice from your healthcare provider.