What are the Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation is a term that defines both the location and the nature of one particular type of arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat). “How Atrial Fibrillation Works” explains what it is and how it forms. Because atrial fibrillation (AF) can lead to some pretty serious complications, including stroke and heart failure, it’s important to figure out that you have it before they happen. Some people have atrial fibrillation without any signs of the odd rhythm, but the erratic, uncoordinated way the heart with atrial fibrillation tries to beat usually gives some clues that something’s wrong. You might have palpitations, where you notice your heartbeat more than usual. And if that happens, you’ll undoubtedly notice that the beating is not the regular thump-thump-thump you are used to. Instead, the pattern will be irregular. With atrial fibrillation, your heart doesn’t send the smooth, steady electrical signals from the upper to the lower chambers the way it does when the rhythm is normal. As
