A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of HealthAtrial Fibrillation
Also called: AF, AFib
An arrhythmia is a problem with the speed or rhythm of the heartbeat. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of arrhythmia. The cause is a disorder in the heart's electrical system.
Often, people who have AF may not even feel symptoms. But you may feel
- Palpitations -- an abnormal rapid heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness or difficulty exercising
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or fainting
- Fatigue
- Confusion
AF can lead to an increased risk of stroke. In many patients, it can also cause chest pain, heart attack, or heart failure.
Doctors diagnose AF using family and medical history, a physical exam, and a test called an electrocardiogram (EKG), which looks at the electrical waves your heart makes. Treatments include medicines and procedures to restore normal rhythm.
NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Atrial Fibrillation is theNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
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Start Here
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Atrial Fibrillation
(Patient Education Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
- Atrial Fibrillation
Overviews
- Atrial Fibrillation(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Atrial Fibrillation (AF or AFib)(American Heart Association)
- Also available in Spanish
- Patient's Guide to Living with Atrial Fibrillation(American Heart Association)
- What Is Atrial Fibrillation?(American Heart Association) - PDF
Latest News
- FDA Approves Anti-Clotting Drug Savaysa(01/08/2015, Food and Drug Administration)
- Exercise, Diet May Be Key to Beating a Common Irregular Heartbeat(12/12/2014, HealthDay)
- Hard Hit to Chest Triggered Irregular Heartbeat in Teen Football Player(12/08/2014, HealthDay)
- Contact Sports and Atrial Fibrillation
(12/08/2014, HealthDay)
- Treating Irregular Heartbeat with Digoxin May Come with Risks(11/21/2014, HealthDay)
Diagnosis/Symptoms
- Electrocardiogram
- Holter and Event Monitors
- How Is Atrial Fibrillation Diagnosed?
- Recognizing an Irregular Heart Rhythm(American Osteopathic Association)
- Stress Testing
- Transesophageal Echocardiography
- What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation?
- Electrocardiogram
Treatment
- Antiarrhythmics(Texas Heart Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
- Atrial Fibrillation Medications(American Heart Association)
- Atrial Fibrillation Surgery - Maze Procedure(Society of Thoracic Surgeons)
- Beta-Blockers(Consumers Union of U.S.) - PDF
- Also available in Spanish
- Calcium Channel Blockers(Consumers Union of U.S.) - PDF
- Also available in Spanish
- Cardioversion
- Catheter Ablation
- How Is Atrial Fibrillation Treated?
- Maze Surgery(Texas Heart Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
- Patient's Guide to Antithrombotic Therapy in Atrial Fibrillation(American College of Chest Physicians) - PDF
- Radiofrequency Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation: A Guide for Adults(Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality)
- Also available in Spanish
- Treatment Guidelines of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib or AF)(American Heart Association) -PDF
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Prevention/Screening
- Can Atrial Fibrillation Be Prevented?
- Pulse Check: The Importance of Self-Screening for Atrial Fibrillation Twice a Year(Women's Heart Foundation)
- Who Is at Risk for Atrial Fibrillation?
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- Can Atrial Fibrillation Be Prevented?
Disease Management
- Living with Atrial Fibrillation
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- Living with Atrial Fibrillation
Specific Conditions
- Tachycardia(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Related Issues
- Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke
- Device Interventions for Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation(American Heart Association)
- High Blood Pressure, Afib and Your Risk of Stroke(American Heart Association)
- Stroke Prevention in Atrial Fibrillation(American Heart Association)
- Substances and Heart Rhythm Disorders(Heart Rhythm Society)
- Who Is at Risk for Atrial Fibrillation (AF or AFib)?(American Heart Association)
- Why Atrial Fibrillation (AF or AFib) Matters(American Heart Association)
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- Atrial Fibrillation and Stroke
Tutorials
- Atrial Fibrillation(Patient Education Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
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Videos
- Advanced Treatment for Chronic Atrial Fibrillation(OR-Live) - Montefiore Einstein Heart Center, New York, NY, 4/01/2009
- Heartbeat - Encyclopedia
- Also available in Spanish
- If I Had - Atrial Fibrillation(Insidermedicine)
- Paracardioscopic Ex-Maze(OR-Live) - FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, Pinehurst, NC, 07/09/2008
- Total Thoracoscopic Maze(OR-Live) - Pinnacle Health, Harrisburg, PA, 7/21/2010
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Anatomy/Physiology
- How the Heart Works
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- How the Heart Works
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Atrial Fibrillation
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- ClinicalTrials.gov: Atrial Fibrillation
Genetics
- Genetics Home Reference: Familial atrial fibrillation
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- Genetics Home Reference: Familial atrial fibrillation
Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)- Article: Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants in atrial fibrillation and venous...
- Article: Development of apixaban: a novel anticoagulant for prevention of stroke...
- Article: Association between atrial fibrillation and silent cerebral infarctions: a systematic...
- Atrial Fibrillation -- see more articles
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Dictionaries/Glossaries
- Cardiovascular Glossary(Texas Heart Institute)
- Also available in Spanish
- Glossary of Terms(Heart Rhythm Society)
- Heart and Stroke Encyclopedia(American Heart Association)
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Organizations
Children
- Atrial Fibrillation in Children(American Heart Association)
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Patient Handouts
- Atrial fibrillation - discharge
- Also available in Spanish
- Atrial fibrillation/flutter
- Also available in Spanish
- Cardiac ablation procedures
- Also available in Spanish
- Electrocardiogram
- Also available in Spanish
- Holter monitor (24h)
- Also available in Spanish
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