Many patients with AF may have no symptoms and are unaware of their condition. Symptoms that may be experienced by patients include:

• Fast/irregular heartbeat, “skipped heartbeats”
• Heart palpitations or a rapid thumping in the chest; chest discomfort, pain or pressure
• Fatigue, dizziness, sweating or nausea
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Shortness of breath, particularly with exertion or anxiety

Stroke is a major complication associated with AF. It is caused when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a clot in one of the blood vessels within, or leading to the brain.

Left untreated, AF can impact a person’s quality of life.

Some people living with AF do not experience symptoms. Other people with AF experience:

• Irregular and fast heartbeat
• Heart palpitations or a rapid thumping in the chest
• Chest discomfort, chest pain or pressure
• Shortness of breath, particularly with exertion or anxiety
• Fatigue
• Dizziness, sweating, or nausea
• Lightheadedness or fainting

When AF is suspected, the doctor will conduct an initial patient evaluation, as well as determine the pattern of the heart arrhythmia. The diagnosis of AF requires an Electrocardiogram (ECG), a machine which charts the electrical activity of your heart. It can also be captured by wearing a Holter monitor which can record the heart rhythm over 24 hours during physical activity and at rest.i If episodes are frequent, then a 24-hour monitor can be used to gain a better understanding of the type of AF a patient may be suffering from.

If you have AF, an important part of preventing a stroke and other heart problems is following a healthy lifestyle. Management of patients with AF is focused on reducing symptoms and at preventing complications associated with AF, which can cause severe impairment to a person’s quality of life.

When you have AF, the blood doesn’t move properly in the heart, and blood clots can form. These clots can move to other parts of the body, such as the brain, and cause serious complications. When a blood clot in the brain blocks blood and oxygen from getting to the brain, one may experience a stroke.i Know the risk factors for a stroke; avoid or get treatment for those you can change.

There are two general approaches for the treatment of atrial fibrillation:

• Rhythm control: These treatments focus on preventing an irregular heartbeat by restoring and maintaining a regular heartbeat. A typical approach to rhythm control involves taking medications that will attempt to prevent the atrial fibrillation from occurring. Occasionally, some patients will require a controlled electric shock to the heart (called electrical cardioversion) to restore a normal rhythm. In some cases, if medications do not work or are not well tolerated, your doctor may refer you to a specialist, who will discuss alternative treatment options with you.
• Rate control: Most patients with atrial fibrillation will be prescribed a medication that is designed to slow the heart rate during atrial fibrillation. For some patients these medications are enough to control the symptoms of atrial fibrillation.

Your doctor will decide which strategy is best for you based on your symptoms and other factors.

If you have AF, speak with your doctor about new treatment options to reduce your risk of stroke. It’s important to remember that people with AF can still live normal, active lives.