How to Identify Atrial Fibrillation and What Might Help
Atrial fibrillation (Afib) 1 is an abnormal, often rapid, heart rhythm that occurs when the atria, your heart's upper chambers, beat out of sync with the ventricles, the heart's lower chambers. It's a common symptom in those with heart failure or heart disease. Afib is one of the most common arrhythmias, or irregular heart rhythms, affecting more than 2 million U.S. adults. 2 While it sometimes goes away on its own, it can often become more frequent, with episodes lasting longer. Because Afib can lead to serious complications, including stroke and heart failure, 3 it’s important to know what to watch out for — and how to help prevent it. What Is Atrial Fibrillation? In a healthy heart, contractions occur about once per second at rest. During Afib, however, this increases significantly. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine: 4 “In a person with Afib, faulty electrical signals make the atria contract irregularly and much faster than normal. The atria then get out of sync ...