Atrial fibrillation

Symptoms include:

• heart palpitations that feel like a sudden pounding, fluttering, or racing sensation in the chest
  
• weak and short of breath
  
• dizziness and lightheadedness as though you are going to faint  (If this happens, sit or lie down until the feeling passes.) and
  
• chest pain with a variable sensation of discomfort, pressure, or pain

Many people have no symptoms at all.  If untreated, atrial fibrillation can lead to serious consequences such as a stroke or heart failure.

In many cases, the heart's normal rhythm may be restored with emergency electrical stimulation or medication.

The primary risk from atrial fibrillation is a stroke.  Small blood clots can form in the heart and pass through the bloodstream to the brain and cause a stroke.  Treatment programs may be used to prevent the blood from forming blood clots.  Often, patients with atrial fibrillation are placed on a blood thinning medication to prevent strokes.  A variety of medications are used to control the heart rhythm in atrial fibrillation.  The most common is Digoxin (di-jok-sin)."

Be sure you understand all the risks and responsibilities involved before you begin any long-term drug treatment program.

Last Reviewed 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIL File CARD4305.RF2 VRS# 4305 Data Version 7.0 Copyright 2000, 2002 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved.