Atrial Fibrillation

Home » Atrial Fibrillation » Signs and Symptoms, Complications

Signs and Symptoms

As atrial fibrillation develops, the patient may be unaware of symptoms. The condition may be discovered incidentally, when a physician notices that the patient's heart rate is no longer regular. Sometimes, the development of shortness of breath or of fatigue compels a patient to seek medical attention. Unfortunately, some patients do not see a doctor until they have suffered a stroke.

Blood may "back up" into the lungs, resulting in the accumulation of fluid. This interferes with normal absorption of oxygen from the lungs into the bloodstream, which can lead to the sensation of shortness of breath. Some patients notice this when they exercise or exert themselves. Others notice it when they lie down at night and find they must sleep with their head elevated to avoid waking up short of breath. Fluid can accumulate in the feet, ankles, legs, and sometimes the abdomen as well, causing swelling (edema).

Also, when the amount of blood being pumped throughout the body decreases, the patient may experience fatigue. When too little blood reaches the brain, the patient may experience lightheadedness or fainting. When contractions become very rapid, sometimes 200 per minute, the patient experiences palpitations.

Complications
The most devastating complication of atrial fibrillation occurs when a blood clot forms in the left atrium, travels to the left ventricle, and is pumped to the brain. When a blood clot lodges in one of the arteries supplying the brain with blood, it can block blood flow to that part of the brain and cause a stroke. Stroke can be severe and can cause permanent paralysis of part of the body, speech impairment, and even death. Unfortunately, stroke can occur at any time, usually without warning.

© 1998-2009 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Atrial Fibrillation Resources

	Questions to Ask Your Cardiac Care Team The more knowledge you have, the easier it is to make decisions about your heart condition. Print this free handout to take with you on your next office visit.	Advertising Disclaimer
	Join Our Atrial Fibrillation Forum Do you have a question, want to share medical advice, or just need to discuss your situation with someone else having a similar experience? The healthchannels forum is a resource for everyone to share and discuss their health and medical needs with others.
	Living with...Share your story Do you have a personal health story that you would like to share with others? As a source of free patient education, our goal is to provide our users with trustworthy information and support from others. That's why we've started our "Living with..." sections.
	Our "Living With..." support pages are a place to share experiences about living with a certain condition, disease, disorder, or illness and for loved ones of those dealing with health-related issues. Many people, especially when newly diagnosed, find comfort in knowing that others are having a similar experience. Help others by sharing your story. View stories already submitted.
	Stay Updated Sign up for our newsletter and receive important updates on the medical conditions that are most important to you.
To quickly access health information from your website's browser, download Healthcommunities.com's healthchannels toolbar. Advertising Disclaimer