Quiz: How well can you recognize the signs of Afib?
Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common arrhythmias.
Knowing the basics of Afib can help prevent it.
Atrial fibrillation (Afib) is an irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that starts in the upper chambers of the heart.
As many as 6 million Americans have Afib, which develops as an abnormal, rapid heartbeat when the upper chambers beat rapidly and out of sync with the lower chambers. This makes it harder for the heart to pump blood efficiently throughout the body.
Patients with Afib often describe fluttering or butterflies in their chests. They might also experience heartbeats that pound, race, or are faster than normal. Sometimes, their heart may skip beats. The feeling usually lasts for a few minutes but could last for hours or days.
The severity of Afib can vary greatly. In general, Afib itself is not considered a medical emergency, but it can lead to serious problems if left untreated. In some cases, immediate medical intervention may be necessary.
Manage your Afib?
Find out which treatments might be right for you.
For more Afib insights, take our quiz below
1. How many main types of Afib are there?
A. 3
B. 4
C. 8
Answer: B.
• Persistent Afib lasts more than one week and needs treatment.
• Long-standing, persistent Afib lasts more than a year and is sometimes difficult to treat.
• Permanent Afib refers to Afib that does not get better, even after medicines or other treatments
2. Which of the following is the most common cause of Afib?
A. High blood pressure
B. Sleep apnea
C. Obesity
D. Structural heart disease
E. None of the above
Answer E. While the other answers are typical risk factors, the most common cause of Afib is advanced age. People with specific existing conditions, like heart attacks, coronary artery disease, or heart failure, also are at an increased risk of developing Afib.
True or false: Afib is hereditary
True. Afib can be hereditary and often runs in families. If a family member has Afib, you may have a higher chance of developing it, too.
4. What is the normal range in beats per minute of a resting heart rate?
A. 60-100
B. 100-140
C. 140-180
D. 180-220
Answer: A. In general, a normal resting heart rate should be between 60 and 100 beats per minute. With Afib, your heart may experience over 140 beats per minute.
5. Heart palpitations are the most common Afib symptom. Which of the following is also a
symptom:
A. Chest pain
B. Fatigue
C. Dizziness
D. Shortness of breath
E. Weakness
F. All of the above
G. None of the above
Answer: F. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, keep a list of when they happen and share them with your health care provider.
To diagnose Afib, your provider will gather your health history, family history, and symptoms you’ve noticed related to Afib. You will then have a physical exam to give a baseline of your health.
This often includes:
• Listening to your heart rhythm with a stethoscope
• Checking your pulse and blood pressure
• Checking the size of your thyroid gland for thyroid problems
• Looking for swelling in your feet or legs to identify heart failure
• Listening to your lungs for heart failure or an infection
Your provider may also run tests such as an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, or a blood test to help make a diagnosis. Afib cannot be cured, but it can be successfully treated and managed in many situations. If the underlying cause of Afib is treated, the condition may never return.