If your afib episodes are intermittent, as with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, then they most likely will not be recorded on the EKG and you may need to wear a small portable electrocardiogram device, called a Holter Monitor, for 24–48 hours in order for your episodes to be captured. This works best for patients in persistent or longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation. You must be undergoing an episode of afib at the time of the EKG in order for it to be seen on the readout. It is painless and takes only a few minutes as you lie down for the test to be administered. Typically, afib is diagnosed by a simple EKG or ECG (electrocardiogram) where several electrodes are placed on your skin to measure and record your heart’s electrical activity in wavelengths. You or your doctor may suspect that you have atrial fibrillation because of hearing or experiencing an unusual heartbeat or a rapid heart rate. The sooner you are diagnosed, the less unchecked damage it will do.įounder & CEO, Diagnosing Atrial Fibrillation If you’ve experienced these symptoms, it’s important to tell your doctor about them and to ask about tests to find out if you have atrial fibrillation or any irregular heartbeat or cardiac arrhythmia. One afib patient simply described it as feeling like having “diminished capacity.” If you have atrial fibrillation that starts and stops, you may feel drained after an episode, but if you have continuous atrial fibrillation, you may not even realize what it is and only be aware that you just don’t have as much energy as usual or that you don’t feel like yourself. ![]() Or atrial fibrillation may be so subtle that you don’t feel an irregular heartbeat, but you may realize that you’re dizzy, weak, tired, or breathless. Or you may find that your pulse, instead of being strong and regular, is instead erratic or weak. Or you might experience sweating or chest pain, mimicking a heart attack. Or you might feel heart palpitations or fluttering or jumping of your heart. When you have atrial fibrillation, you might notice a skipped heartbeat, and then feel a thud or thump, followed by your heart racing for an extended amount of time. What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation? How would you know to suspect it? What does it feel like? Symptoms Failure to treat your afib can be life-threatening. It’s important that it be diagnosed and treated promptly. ![]() Atrial fibrillation can be scary and cause fear and anxiety.
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