Symptoms of atrial fibrillation occur when the upper chambers of the heart (atria) beat in a disorganized fashion. Atrial fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia. Characteristic symptoms include
In some cases, chest pain can be an associated symptom, particularly if there is also cardiovascular disease present. (Chest pain or pressure warrants urgent medical evaluation.) Other symptoms of atrial fibrillation are
Causes of atrial fibrillation (AFib)
The cause of atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm, in which electrical signals come from the wrong location within the heart. These abnormal signals are rapid and irregular and cause atrial fibrillation. The reasons for the abnormalities in signaling are unknown.
Other atrial fibrillation (afib) symptoms and signs
- Anxiety
- Chest Pain
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Fatigue When Exercising
- Irregular Heartbeat
- Lightheadedness
- Palpitations
- Racing Heartbeat
- Shortness of Breath
- Sweating
- Weakness
Main Article on Atrial fibrillation (AFib) Symptoms and Signs
Pictures, Images, Illustrations & Quizzes
-
Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib) Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ
Learn the causes, symptoms, and treatments of the common heart abnormality known as atrial fibrillation (A-fib).
-
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): Tips for Living with Atrial Fibrillation
Learn how to live easier with atrial fibrillation. What is AFib? Find out the symptoms and causes of this heart condition....
-
Atrial Fibrillation: Heart Symptoms, Diagnosis, & AFib Treatment
AFib symptoms like heart racing, fluttering, and irregular heart beat may be caused by heart disease, obesity, alcohol use,...
Examples of Medications for Atrial fibrillation (AFib) Symptoms and Signs
- amiodarone, Cordarone, Nextrone, Pacerone
- atenolol
- bisoprolol (Zebeta)
- bortezomib - injection, Velcade
- Brevibloc (esmolol hydrochloride) Injection
- Camzyos (mavacamten)
- carvedilol
- cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
- dexamethasone (Decadron, DexPak)
- Digitek (digoxin)
- digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxin Pediatric)
- diltiazem (Cardizem, Cardizem CD, Cardizem LA, Tiazac, Cartia XT, Diltzac, Dilt-CD, and several oth)
- dofetilide - oral, Tikosyn
- Eliquis (apixaban)
- flecainide - oral, Tambocor
- heparin
- lenalidomide (Revlimid)
- melphalan - oral, Alkeran
- metoprolol
- Multaq (dronedarone)
- nadolol (Corgard)
- prednisone
- propafenone (Rythmol)
- propranolol, Inderal, Inderal LA, Innopran XL
- rivaroxaban
- sotalol
- sotalol, Betapace, Betapace AF, Sorine, Sotylize
- Sotylize (sotalol hydrochloride)
- thalidomide - oral, Thalomid
- timolol (Betimol)
- Types of Atrial Fibrillation Medications
- verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Verelan PM [Discontinued: Isoptin, Isoptin SR, Covera-HS])
- warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.