Some patients do not notice the increased heart rhythm. Others develop symptoms, which can either occur occasionally or be continuous.

Common symptoms are:

• Abnormal fatigue
• Palpitations
• Fast irregular pulse rate
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Dizziness

Atrial fibrillation can affect all but frequency increases with age.

Risk factors for developing atrial fibrillation are:

• Age
• High blood pressure
• Increased metabolism
• Predisposition in the family
• Infections
• Diabetes
• Various heart conditions
• Chronic lung disease
• Obesity
• Alcoholism
• Stress
• Surgery

A rapid, irregular pulse can lead to suspicions of atrial fibrillation. The condition is diagnosed by recording an electrocardiogram (ECG), which will show an irregular heart rhythm.

Atrial fibrillation is perceived as a chronic disease that can change from shorter to longer attacks through the years. The treatment will thus also need to be adjusted regularly.

The treatment of atrial fibrillation is individual but the goal is always to:

• reduce symptoms
• prevent blood clots
• reduce the risk of heart failure

One of these treatment strategies is selected, based on your symptoms:

• Frequency regulating medicine that slows the pulse rate to relieve the heart and reduce symptoms.
• Stabilising medicine to maintain sinus rhythm.

Other forms of treatment of atrial fibrillation, often combined with medicine are:

• DC conversion (an electric shock under full anaesthetic).
• Radio frequency ablation (thermotherapy of the heart muscle cells causing the atrial fibrillation).
• Surgery (Maze operation).

Furthermore, it is very important to minimize risk factors as they can contribute to maintain atrial fibrillation.