Atrial Fibrillation

Quick answer

Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is a quivering, irregular heartbeat. At least 2.7 million Americans live with it. An episode can feel strange and frightening, but on its own it usually does not harm you. The real danger is stroke, and that risk is there even when you feel nothing at all. AFib can also lead to blood clots and heart failure. An echocardiogram, which uses ultrasound, is one way doctors find it.

Any person, ranging from children to adults, can develop atrial fibrillation (AFib). Because the likelihood of AFib increases with age and people are living longer today, medical researchers predict the number of AFib cases will rise dramatically over the next few years. Even though AFib clearly increases the risks of heart-related death and stroke, many patients do not fully recognize the potentially serious consequences.

What is Atrial Fibrillation (AFib or AF)?

Atrial fibrillation (also called AFib or AF) is a quivering or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. At least 2.7 million Americans are living with AFib.

What are the consequences of atrial fibrillation (AFib)?

Although atrial fibrillation can feel weird and frightening, an “attack of AFib” usually doesn’t have harmful consequences by itself. The real danger is the increased risk for stroke. Even when symptoms are not noticeable, AFib can increase a person’s risks for stroke and related heart problems.

How is atrial fibrillation diagnosed?

We have various tools to diagnose atrial fibrillation, including using an echocardiogram or an echocardiography stress test.

An echocardiogram is a test of the action of the heart using ultrasound waves to produce a visual display, used for the diagnosis or monitoring of heart disease. This is a non-invasive test that looks through the chest wall getting images of the heart.

An echocardiography stress test, sometime referred to as a stress echo, is a procedure that determines how well your heart and blood vessels are working. During a stress echocardiography, you’ll exercise on a treadmill or stationary bike while your doctor monitors your blood pressure and heart rhythm.

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Common Types of Arrhythmia

Heart arrhythmias are broadly divided into two major groups, tachycardia and bradycardia.

1. Tachycardia—Fast Heartbeat

Tachycardia occurs when the heart beats faster than normal, typically over 100 beats per minute. You may notice a racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness, or chest discomfort. Persistent tachycardia can increase the risk of complications if left untreated.

Tachycardia can further be broken down into:

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular and often rapid heartbeat originating in the atria (the heart’s upper chambers). It can cause palpitations, shortness of breath, weakness, or chest pain. AF increases the risk of blood clots, stroke, and other complications, making timely diagnosis and management essential.

Atrial Flutter

The difference between atrial flutter and AFib is that the heartbeat is more organized. It often causes a fast but regular heartbeat and may lead to symptoms such as palpitations, fatigue, shortness of breath, or chest discomfort. While it is not as severe as AFib, atrial flutter can still increase your risk of blood clots and stroke if left untreated.

Ventricular fibrillation (V-fib)

This life-threatening form of arrhythmia occurs when the ventricles (the heart’s lower chambers) quiver instead of pumping blood. V-fib can cause a sudden and severe drop in blood pressure, leading to collapse or cardiac arrest. Early detection and prompt intervention are important to boost the patient’s chances of survival.

Supraventricular Tachycardia

In the case of supraventricular tachycardia, you’ll experience a rapid heartbeat above your ventricles, which usually leads to palpitations, a pounding chest, lightheadedness, or shortness of breath. An episode can range from seconds to hours and can come without warning. It is not always dangerous, but it can be disruptive and uncomfortable to deal with.

Ventricular Tachycardia

This is another form of arrhythmia that happens in the ventricles and it may prevent the heart from pumping blood properly. It can cause symptoms such as dizziness, palpitations, chest pain, and even fainting. VT can be serious, especially if it lasts longer than a few seconds, as it may progress to ventricular fibrillation.

2. Bradycardia—Slow Heartbeat

Bradycardia is characterized by a slower-than-normal heartbeat, usually under 60 beats per minute. Symptoms can include fatigue, dizziness, fainting, or difficulty exercising. While sometimes harmless, severe bradycardia may require medical evaluation or intervention.

It usually occurs in two primary forms:

Sick Sinus Syndrome

Although it can be mild at first, sick sinus syndrome often requires medical evaluation to prevent worsening rhythm problems. When the sinus node, your heart’s natural pacemaker, doesn’t work as it should, this is called sick sinus syndrome. It can cause the heart to alternate between beating too slowly, too quickly, or irregularly. Symptoms typically include fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, and fainting.

Conduction Block

A conduction block, or a heart block, happens when the electrical signals that travel through your heart are delayed or stopped. This could result in your heart beating slower or skipping beats entirely. You may also experience lightheadedness, fainting, or noticeable fatigue.

What Are the Symptoms of Heart Arrhythmia and When Should You See a Doctor?

You should see a doctor if you notice frequent or persistent irregular heartbeats, especially if accompanied by any of the following symptoms:

A fluttering, pounding or racing feeling in the chest
A fast heartbeat
A slow heartbeat
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Anxiety
Feeling very tired
Lightheadedness or dizziness
Sweating
Fainting or almost fainting
Heart palpitations

Heart Arrhythmia Diagnosis & Treatment

Because arrhythmias can present differently in each individual, it’s best for doctors to conduct a thorough evaluation. This will allow them to pinpoint the underlying cause and create a treatment plan tailored to your condition.

Diagnosis typically begins with a comprehensive review of your symptoms, medical history, and overall heart health. From there, your doctor may recommend one or more diagnostic procedures, such as an echocardiogram, an electrocardiogram (EKG), and a stress test, to assess your heart’s structure, rhythm, and electrical activity.

Heart Arrhythmia Treatments

Treatment for heart arrhythmia depends on the type, its severity, and your overall health. Your doctor will develop a personalized plan based on your specific diagnosis and symptoms.

Lifestyle recommendations are often the first step in managing mild arrhythmias. Improving your sleep habits, managing stress, and reducing caffeine or alcohol intake can help stabilize your heart rate and reduce episodes over time. If necessary, your doctor may also place you on medications to help regulate your heart. For complex cases, your doctor may recommend advanced procedures such as catheter ablation or the use of implantable devices, including pacemakers or defibrillators, which help regulate the heart’s rhythm automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you still have any questions, our team is here to help. You can speak with one of our board-certified specialists by booking a consultation, where we’ll review your symptoms, perform any necessary testing, and guide you toward the right next steps for your heart health.

What Is the Most Serious Type of Arrhythmia?

The most serious type of arrhythmia is ventricular fibrillation (V-fib), a life-threatening condition where the heart’s lower chambers quiver instead of pumping blood.

What Is an Irregular Heartbeat?

An irregular heartbeat, also known as an arrhythmia, occurs when the heart beats too fast, too slow, or inconsistently. It may feel like fluttering, skipping beats, or a sudden racing sensation.

What Heart Rate is Considered Abnormal?

A resting heart rate consistently below 60 beats per minute (bradycardia) or above 100 beats per minute (tachycardia) is generally considered abnormal.

How Is Arrhythmia Diagnosed?

Arrhythmia is diagnosed through tests that measure the heart’s electrical activity and rhythm. Some common procedures for running these tools include electrocardiograms (EKGs), Holter monitors, stress tests, and echocardiograms. After running these tests, a doctor then uses this information to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for you.

Schedule a personalized assessment and find out your treatment options.

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Dr. Moinakhtar Lala and Dr. Mehran J. Khorsandi of CACVI

Dr. M Lala, Dr. Mehran J. Khorsandi and Dr. V Lala

Meet Your Specialists

The Center for Advanced Cardiac and Vascular Interventions (CACVI) is led by Dr. M Lala, Dr. Khorsandi, and Dr. V Lala, who have over thirty years of practice with over 15,000 vascular and cardiac procedures performed. Our physicians are determined to provide each patient with experienced, compassionate care as they work diligently to improve your health.