Atrial Fibrillation: Overview, Types, Symptoms & Diagnosis

What AFib is, how it feels, the main types, triggers, complications, and how clinicians diagnose it—plus when to seek care.

What is atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation (Afib) is an abnormal heart rhythm in which the upper chambers of your heart quiver o

When you have atrial fibrillation, the standard regular contraction pattern of your heart’s atria (the to

Types of AFib are typically described as paroxysmal, persistent, and permanent.

This is the most common type of AFib. People with paroxysmal AFib have episodes that usually last for a f

This is when AFib lasts more than seven days or if it comes back after going away for a while. With pers

This is the most severe type of AFib. When you have permanent AFib, your heart’s electrical system has b

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What does afib feel like? When you feel an episode for the first time, you might notice a skipped heartb

These symptoms can come and go.

AFib can last for a few minutes, hours, days, weeks, or even months. Some people have only one episode t

Atrial fibrillation may come and go, but it’s a lifelong condition for some people. Most people with atr

Learn more about 24h ECG Recorder with AI Analysis

If you have Afib and are not taking anticoagulant medication (medications that help prevent blood clotti

occurs when the heart muscle can no longer pump blood effectively around the body. This can lead to flui

occur when blood thickens and forms a solid mass or lump. This can cause various problems, including pul

In severe cases, cardiac arrest may occur in people experiencing atrial fibrillation. In this case, it i

The risk of death is also increased in people with atrial fibrillation. This is most often due to a stro

AFib can last for a few minutes, hours, days, weeks, or even months. Some people have only one episode t

Atrial fibrillation may come and go, but it’s a lifelong condition for some people. Most people with atr