Atrial Fibrillation: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment | GetWellGo

Learn about atrial fibrillation symptoms, causes, and treatment options at GetWellGo. Get expert insights to manage and prevent AFib effectively today!

Atrial Fibrillation: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment | GetWellGo

  • Category

    Cardiology

  • Published By

    GetWellGo Team

  • Updated on

    28-Apr-2025

What is the Atrial Fibrillation?

Atrial Fibrillation also referred to AF or AFib is a kind of irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia that involves the heart’s upper chambers known as the atria.

What Happens in AFib?

Usually, it is expected that the heart has a rhythmic contractions resulting from the electrical impulses originating in the atria.

In atrial fibrillation:

  • These electric signals become disorganized or go chaotic.
  • The atria quiver (fibrillate) instead of contracting effectively.
  • Consequently, reliable blood circulation into the ventricles (lower chambers) is not experienced.

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms

Below are some of the Signs of atrial fibrillation:

Heart-Related Symptoms:

  • Palpitations meaning spasmodic or irregular and pounding in the chest or heart area.
  • Palpitations which can be described as a racing heart.
  • Skipped beats or pauses

General Symptoms:

  • Fatigue or tiredness, especially with exertion
  • Panting or shortness of breath that occurs with gentle exercise or when lying down
  • Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
  • Weakness
  • Heart failure is characterized by fainting (syncope) in more severe situations.

Chest Symptoms:

  • Chest discomfort or pain (not always present)
  • Tightness in the chest

Some People Feel:

  • Anxiety or a feeling of unease
  • Cold sweats (occasionally)

What causes atrial fibrillation?

AFib results from multiple conditions and life styles that impact the hearts electrical system to deceive and irregular.

Major Atrial fibrillation causes:

Heart-Related Causes

  • High blood pressure (hypertension) – most common risk factor
  • The specific name is coronary artery because it deals with narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscles and it is known as coronary artery disease.
  • Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
  • Cardiosis – damaged or weary heart muscle
  • Heart valve disease – especially mitral valve problems
  • Malformations / Congenital anomalies – which include for instance congenital heart disease, affect one out of every one hundred children Makes up / constitutes about one percent of the population of children.
  • This, however, has limitations caused by pericarditis – inflammation of the heart’s lining.
  • Previous heart surgery

Other Medical Conditions

  • Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Chronic lung diseases – like COPD
  • The conditions put pressure on the airways and cause the levels of oxygen in the blood to reduce – sleep apnea.
  • Infections – such as pneumonia
  • Electrolyte imbalances – low potassium or magnesium

Lifestyle and External Triggers

  • Alcohol – oral, particularly old “holiday heart syndrome,” alcohol dependence
  • Caffeine and energy drinks, nicotine, legal and illicit drugs, etc
  • Severe stress or illness
  • Intense physical exertion – especially in endurance athletes

Age & Genetics

  • Age- risk increases one’s age is very important with the risk being higher when one is above the age of 60years.
  • Family history – genetic predisposition

AFib Treatment Options

Below are the best treatment for atrial fibrillation which depends on the type, severity, symptoms and the cause.

Medications

  • It is used to regulate heart rate, rhythm and to prevent blood clot formation.
  • Also, prescribed for those who have atrial fibrillation and require the heart to revert to its normal rhythm.
  • Blood Thinners commonly referred to as Anticoagulants: This remedy is used to cast off clots that can lead to the impairment of blood supply in the bloodstream.

Electrical Cardioversion

  • A controlled electric shock to the chest to reset the heart rhythm.
  • Done under sedation
  • May be followed by medication to keep rhythm normal.

Catheter Ablation

  • A minimally invasive procedure
  • Thin tubes (catheters) are gently passed through the blood vessels and directed towards the heart
  • Co-existent abnormal electrical signals are due to scar tissues or destruction of tissues typically around the pulmonary veins.
  • Especially useful for persistent or symptomatic AFib

Surgical Options

  • Maze procedure – lesions or ablations are made in the form of a maze to ensure the flow of the electricity in right manner
  • Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (e.g. Watchman) – for the patients who can’t go on anticoagulants.

Lifestyle & Natural Approaches

  • Control and monitor blood pressure, diabetes and thyroid.
  • Quit smoking
  • Limit alcohol and caffeine
  • Treat sleep apnea
  • Exercise regularly (but not excessively)
  • Eat healthy foods, low in salt, more foods with vegetables and plenty of healthy fats.

Is Atrial Fibrillation Dangerous?

Well, atrial fibrillation is quite dangerous especially if not treated — and this forms the main difference between it and many other forms of arrhythmias. Despite the fact that some people have it and do not plan on undergoing any complex surgeries or activities, AFib is a dangerous condition.

Why AFib Is Dangerous:

  • Increased Risk of Stroke
  • Heart Failure    
  • Other Heart Problems
  • Reduced Quality of Life

AFib Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) entails an assessment of the patient’s symptoms, physical examination and specific tests that would be conducted on the heart. Following is how most doctors diagnose it:

Medical History & Physical Exam

  • Review of symptoms: palpitations, fatigue, dizziness, etc.
  • Don’t neglect the questions about family history, lifestyle, and other conditions for the patient.
  • Take your pulse rate (abnormal or tachycardia) and blood pressure.

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

  • Main tool to diagnose AFib.
  • An easy procedure to make an electrocardiogram where the electrical signals of the heart are measured.
  • Can confirm it on AFib if that is present at the time of test is done.

Holter Monitor

  • A compact 24–48 hours wearing of an ECG monitor.
  • Identifies patients who have occasional (paroxysmal) AFib that is not captured during an initial ECG reading.

Event Monitor

  • Worn for weeks or months.
  • In the event of any of the above symptoms, a button is pressed to allow the device to record the heart rhythm.
  • Helpful for rare or unpredictable episodes.

Echocardiogram (Echo)

  • Utilizes the use of sound wave to produce pictures of the heart.

Checks for:

  • Blood clots
  • Heart valve problems
  • Size of the atria
  • Pumping function

Blood Tests

Check for:

  • The thyroid (AFib is associated with overactive thyroid)
  • Electrolyte imbalances
  • Signs of infection or anemia

Other Tests (if needed)

  • Stress test – to evaluate your heart activity during exercise
  • Cardiac MRI or CT – to investigate structures and its blood supply
  • Sleep research – if the population suffers from sleep apnea

Atrial fibrillation Medications

Blood Thinners (Anticoagulants)

  • It is used to prevent formation of intrinsic blood clots as well as minimize occurrence of stroke.
  • They do not treat the rhythm itself but are crucial when it comes to safety.

Rate Control Medications

  • Use in decreasing the ventricular rate (useful for managing palpitations, breathless in CHF)

Rhythm Control Medications (Antiarrhythmics)

  • To return the patients’ hearts to their normal rhythm 
  • Risk reduction: Keep the rhythm abnormalities from returning

Others

  • AV nodal blockers – used in special situation to help to block signals.
  • Benzodiazepines – Even though not directly related to AFib, it may be used as temperamental treatment to some patients experiencing high anxiety levels.

How to stop Atrial Fibrillation naturally?

Though AFib is usually tamed with medications, several strategies that enhance AFib can be considered natural or non-pharmacological and may even help slow the disease progression in early/paroxysmal AFib.

How to Support AFib Naturally

Adopt a Heart-Healthy Diet

Increase:

  • ‘Vegetables’: this category was found to mean mostly leafy green vegetables (however, if one is taking warfarin, one should avoid vitamin K.
  • Berries, bananas (potassium), avocados, nuts
  • Omega-3-rich foods: walnuts, flaxseeds, chia
  • Whole grains and legumes

Maintain a Healthy Weight

  • Obesity is a major AFib risk.
  • Just a 10% weight loss has been found enough to reduce the occurrence of AFib.
  • Start doing activities that involve moderate exercise such as walking, cycling and incorporate strength training.

Treat Sleep Apnea

  • Unrecognised sleep apnea is a contributing root cause of AFib in many patients.
  • That is why you should ask your doctor to refer you to a sleep aid, with a sleep study.
  • This greatly decreases risk and severity of AFib when CPAP therapy is available.

Reduce Stress

Stress is known to amplify and initiate AFib, whereby stress; irritations rank high amongst its causes.

Try:

  • Yoga or Tai Chi – increases rhythm and has positive effect on cardiovascular activity and blood pressure.
  • Prayer or deep breathing – soothes the vagus nerve
  • Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR)

Stay Hydrated & Balance Electrolytes

  • Low water intake and dietary values of magnesium or potassium can cause AFib.

Consider natural sources:

  • Magnesium: pumpkin seeds, spinach, almonds
  • Potassium: bananas, sweet potatoes, coconut water
  • As it stands, it is advisable to consult your doctor before taking any supplement.

Quit Smoking & Limit Alcohol

  • Any amount of alcohol, even moderate, can increase the risk of AFib in certain individual.
  • Specifically, “holiday heart syndrome”, which is AFib due to alcohol binging.

Regular Check-ups

  • The population should also monitor their blood pressure, thyroid function, and glucose levels frequently.
  • Several cases of AFib are either provoked or aggravated by these in balance.

Atrial Fibrillation Surgery

Maze Procedure (Gold Standard for Surgical AFib Treatment)

  • Creating a “maze” of scar tissue in the atria in order to interrupt the propagation of the abnormal electrical impulses.

Can be done using:

  • Conventional sterotomy, which means opening of the chest.
  • [Majority of the patients underwent T2 or T3 thyroidate actual surgical approaches: thoracoscopic or robotic-assisted ].
  • It may be done together with other heart surgeries, like bypass surgery or cardiac valve surgery.
  • Success rates: Up to 90 percent plus in keeping normal rhythm
  • Most appropriate in: Patients with chronic AFib, enlarged atria or those requiring cardiac surgery anyway

Mini-Maze or Thoracoscopic Maze

  • Less invasive (small incisions, no open chest)
  • It employs radiofrequency or cryoablation in order to build up scar tissue.
  • No heart-lung machine needed
  • Shorter recovery
  • It may be performed if a catheter ablation did not work

Hybrid Ablation (Surgical + Catheter)

  • Combines surgical ablation (outside heart) and catheter ablation (inside heart)
  • Useful for complex or long-standing AFib
  • Typically done in two stages (or same hospital stay)

Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Closure or Removal

  • Despite having the reality that, not every person can take blood thinning medications, there are measures that can be taken to prevent strokes.
  • Such devices are used as the Watchman in order to occlude the LAA.
  • In certain circumstances, the LAA may be surgically thromboembolism or ligated during Maze or other related processes.

Difference between AFib and Normal Heartbeat

Normal Heartbeat (Sinus Rhythm)

How It Works:

  • Starts in the sinoatrial (SA) node — your heart’s natural pacemaker
  • Contractions of atrial muscle send the electrical signals to the ventricles in a certain sequence.
  • Men and women and children have pulse in a steady, regular manner

Characteristics:

  • Rate: 60-100 beats per minutes in the resting state.
  • Rhythm: Regular
  • Atria: Strong, steady: these are those muscles that contract prior to the ventricles.

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

What Happens?

  • Disorganized electrical signals in the atria (upper chambers)
  • An Atria quiver instead of fully contract
  • Contractions of signals to the ventricles turn haphazard and tachycardia

Characteristics:

  • Frequency: Typically, the rate of atrial fibrillation is often fast between 100-175 beats per minute; however, they can be slow after appropriate treatment.
  • Rhythm: Irregular and chaotic
  • Contraction: Atria do not fully contract → blood pooling → clot risk

Top Doctors for Atria Fibrillation

The best doctors for Atria Fibrillation are:

  • Dr. Kuldeep Arora
  • Dr. Praveen Chandra
  • Dr. Nikhil Kumar
  • Dr. Balbir Singh
  • Dr. Amit Mittal
     

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