Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation

Symptoms depend on the atrial fibrillation form (paroxysmal, permanent or persistent) and the type of the pathology. The signs of the disease may be vague, which is one reason why a person may not always perceive its attacks. However, against the background of atrial fibrillation the reduced amount of blood is ejected from the heart which results in the disturbance of the normal functioning of the whole body.

The most evident symptoms of atrial fibrillation include:

• Palpations and irregular heartbeat, which is sometimes faster or slower;
• Inability to perform any physical activity, muscle weakness;
• Shortness of breath;
• Swelling of lower legs;
• General weakness;
• Tingling and pain in the chest;
• Excessive sweating;
• The state of strong and unexplainable fear and panic;
• Fainting and dizziness;
• Frequent urination, which can be associated with the increased production of the atrial natriuretic hormone or increased tone of the sympathetic nervous system;
• Pulse deficit – that is a condition when the pulse frequency is less than the frequency of the heart beats;
• Drop in blood pressure;
• Vomiting and nausea when the normal rhythm changes to arrhythmia and backwards.

Usually all these manifestations of atrial fibrillation respond to the treatment pretty well once the heart rhythm is slowed or the arrhythmia is eliminated.

 Next chapter: Tests and Diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation