{"id":11563,"date":"2025-04-25T14:58:40","date_gmt":"2025-04-25T11:58:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ams.uokerbala.edu.iq\/wp\/en\/?p=11563"},"modified":"2025-04-30T15:13:10","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T12:13:10","slug":"atrial-fibrillation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ams.uokerbala.edu.iq\/wp\/en\/blog\/2025\/04\/25\/atrial-fibrillation\/","title":{"rendered":"Atrial fibrillation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Atrial fibrillation (sometimes called afib or AF) is a type of heart rhythm problem where your heartbeat is not steady. See a GP if you think you may have it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"symptoms\">Symptoms of atrial fibrillation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The main symptoms of atrial fibrillation are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>an irregular heartbeat, where your pulse is not steady<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>suddenly feeling like your heart is pounding, racing, fluttering, skipping or missing a beat (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/heart-palpitations\/\">heart palpitations<\/a>) \u2013 this may last for a few seconds up to a few minutes<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a heartbeat faster than 100 beats per minute<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>feeling very tired<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>finding it harder to exercise<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>chest pain or tightness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>feeling short of breath, lightheaded, dizzy or like you might faint<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes there are no symptoms, and atrial fibrillation is found as part of a routine check-up or when you&#8217;re having tests for something else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you do get symptoms, they may start and stop on their own (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) or stop after treatment (persistent atrial fibrillation).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over time, you may always have symptoms (permanent atrial fibrillation).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Non-urgent advice:See a GP if:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>you think you may have symptoms of atrial fibrillation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>you have heart palpitations that keep happening or are getting worse<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>you have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and treatment is not helping your symptoms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Immediate action required:Call 999 if:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You currently have a fast or irregular heartbeat, and any of these symptoms:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>chest pain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>shortness of breath<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>sweating<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>feeling or being sick<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>fainting, feeling dizzy or falling over<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a severe headache<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>weakness or numbness on one side of your face or body<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>blurred vision or loss of sight<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>confusion or difficulty speaking<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do not drive yourself to A&amp;E.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"diagnosis\">Tests for atrial fibrillation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If a GP thinks you could have atrial fibrillation, they will refer you to a heart specialist (cardiologist).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At your appointment, they will ask about your symptoms and check your heart rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You will also have tests to see if anything else could be causing your symptoms and to check your heart rhythm. Tests may include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/electrocardiogram\/\">electrocardiogram (ECG)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/echocardiogram\/\">echocardiogram (echo)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a chest X-ray<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>blood tests<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"medical-treatments\">Treatment for atrial fibrillation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, you will have regular check-ups to make sure your symptoms are under control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You may be given medicine to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>control the rate and rhythm of your heart, such as\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/beta-blockers\/\">beta blockers<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>lower the risk of blood clots or stroke (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/anticoagulants\/\">anticoagulants<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Other possible treatments for atrial fibrillation include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>surgery to burn or freeze a section of the heart (ablation)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>using electricity to reset your heart rhythm (electrical cardioversion)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>having a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/pacemaker-implantation\/\">pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD)<\/a>\u00a0fitted<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes atrial fibrillation can be caused by another health condition or medicine. In these cases, treating the condition or stopping the medicine can improve the symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">More about treatments<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhf.org.uk\/informationsupport\/heart-matters-magazine\/medical\/drug-cabinet\/anti-arrhythmics\">British Heart Foundation: anti-arrhythmics<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/api.heartrhythmalliance.org\/files\/download\/0f0d668345a8383a8d3fd5ed74696c50\">Arrhythmia Alliance: Atrial fibrillation (AF) drug information (PDF only, 1.88MB)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/medicines\/\">NHS medicines A to Z: find your medicine<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhf.org.uk\/informationsupport\/treatments\/ablation\">British Heart Foundation: ablation<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bhf.org.uk\/informationsupport\/treatments\/cardioversion\">British Heart Foundation: cardioversion<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"self-care\">Things you can do yourself to help with atrial fibrillation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to treatment you might need, there are things you can do yourself to help with symptoms of atrial fibrillation and lower the chances of complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>avoid triggers such as caffeine, spicy food, stress,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/dehydration\/\">dehydration<\/a>\u00a0and lack of sleep<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>try to keep to a healthy weight<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>eat a balanced diet<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>exercise regularly \u2013 aim to do at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week, like walking, bike riding or gardening<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Don&#8217;t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>do not smoke<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>do not drink too much alcohol<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>do not exercise too much or too hard \u2013 this can trigger atrial fibrillation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Information:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">NHS help to get healthy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>NHS Better Health has free tools and support to help you lose weight, get active, quit smoking and drink less.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/better-health\/\">Visit the NHS Better Health website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"causes\">Causes of atrial fibrillation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Atrial fibrillation is caused by a problem with the electrical system that makes your heart beat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anyone can get it, but you may be more likely to get it if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>you&#8217;re aged 55 or older<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>you&#8217;re a man<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>you&#8217;re living with obesity or overweight<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>you smoke<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>you take certain medicines, such as\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/medicines\/levothyroxine\/\">levothyroxine<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/medicines\/lithium\/\">lithium<\/a>\u00a0or some asthma medicines like\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/medicines\/salbutamol-inhaler\/\">salbutamol<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>you do endurance sports like long-distance running, cycling or skiing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Atrial fibrillation can also be caused by another condition such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/high-blood-pressure\/\">high blood pressure<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>heart conditions like\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/heart-failure\/\">heart failure<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/heart-valve-disease\/\">mitral valve problems<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/wolff-parkinson-white-syndrome\/\">Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a heart attack<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/kidney-disease\/\">chronic kidney disease<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/overactive-thyroid-hyperthyroidism\/\">overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/diabetes\/\">diabetes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/sleep-apnoea\/\">sleep apnoea<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"prognosis-or-recovery\">How atrial fibrillation affects your life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There is currently no cure for atrial fibrillation, but treatment should help manage the symptoms and lower the risk of complications like&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/blood-clots\/\">blood clots<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/stroke\/\">stroke<\/a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/heart-failure\/\">heart failure<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should be able to carry on doing most things as usual, including exercise. But avoid intense exercise and try not to exercise when you&#8217;re having symptoms of atrial fibrillation. Check with your doctor if you&#8217;re not sure what exercise you can do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you drive you may need to tell the DVLA that you have atrial fibrillation. Your doctor will be able to tell you if this applies to you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There might also be other practical things you need to think about if you have a heart condition, like travelling abroad with medicine, and changes to health or travel insurance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Atrial fibrillation (sometimes called afib or AF) is a type of heart rhythm problem where your heartbeat is not steady. See a GP if you think you may have it. Symptoms of atrial fibrillation The main symptoms of atrial fibrillation are: Sometimes there are no symptoms, and atrial fibrillation is found as part of a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":[],"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"ocean_post_layout":"","ocean_both_sidebars_style":"","ocean_both_sidebars_content_width":0,"ocean_both_sidebars_sidebars_width":0,"ocean_sidebar":"","ocean_second_sidebar":"","ocean_disable_margins":"enable","ocean_add_body_class":"","ocean_shortcode_before_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_after_top_bar":"","ocean_shortcode_before_header":"","ocean_shortcode_after_header":"","ocean_has_shortcode":"","ocean_shortcode_after_title":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_widgets":"","ocean_shortcode_before_footer_bottom":"","ocean_shortcode_after_footer_bottom":"","ocean_display_top_bar":"default","ocean_display_header":"default","ocean_header_style":"","ocean_center_header_left_menu":"","ocean_custom_header_template":"","ocean_custom_logo":0,"ocean_custom_retina_logo":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_width":0,"ocean_custom_logo_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_tablet_max_height":0,"ocean_custom_logo_mobile_max_height":0,"ocean_header_custom_menu":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_family":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_subset":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_size":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_font_size_unit":"px","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_font_weight_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_tablet":"","ocean_menu_typo_transform_mobile":"","ocean_menu_typo_line_height":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_line_height_unit":"","ocean_menu_typo_spacing":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_tablet":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_mobile":0,"ocean_menu_typo_spacing_unit":"","ocean_menu_link_color":"","ocean_menu_link_color_hover":"","ocean_menu_link_color_active":"","ocean_menu_link_background":"","ocean_menu_link_hover_background":"","ocean_menu_link_active_background":"","ocean_menu_social_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_bg":"","ocean_menu_social_links_color":"","ocean_menu_social_hover_links_color":"","ocean_disable_title":"default","ocean_disable_heading":"default","ocean_post_title":"","ocean_post_subheading":"","ocean_post_title_style":"","ocean_post_title_background_color":"","ocean_post_title_background":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_image_position":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_attachment":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_repeat":"","ocean_post_title_bg_image_size":"","ocean_post_title_height":0,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay":0.5,"ocean_post_title_bg_overlay_color":"","ocean_disable_breadcrumbs":"default","ocean_breadcrumbs_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_separator_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_color":"","ocean_breadcrumbs_links_hover_color":"","ocean_display_footer_widgets":"default","ocean_display_footer_bottom":"default","ocean_custom_footer_template":"","ocean_post_oembed":"","ocean_post_self_hosted_media":"","ocean_post_video_embed":"","ocean_link_format":"","ocean_link_format_target":"self","ocean_quote_format":"","ocean_quote_format_link":"post","ocean_gallery_link_images":"on","ocean_gallery_id":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[117],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11563","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-medical-information","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":false,"author_link":"https:\/\/ams.uokerbala.edu.iq\/wp\/en\/blog\/author\/ams0manager\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/ams.uokerbala.edu.iq\/wp\/en\/blog\/category\/medical-information\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Medical Information<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Atrial fibrillation (sometimes called afib or AF) is a type of heart rhythm problem where your heartbeat is not steady. See a GP if you think you may have it. Symptoms of atrial fibrillation The main symptoms of atrial fibrillation are: Sometimes there are no symptoms, and atrial fibrillation is found as part of a&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ams.uokerbala.edu.iq\/wp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11563","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ams.uokerbala.edu.iq\/wp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ams.uokerbala.edu.iq\/wp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ams.uokerbala.edu.iq\/wp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ams.uokerbala.edu.iq\/wp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11563"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ams.uokerbala.edu.iq\/wp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11563\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11579,"href":"https:\/\/ams.uokerbala.edu.iq\/wp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11563\/revisions\/11579"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ams.uokerbala.edu.iq\/wp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11563"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ams.uokerbala.edu.iq\/wp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11563"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ams.uokerbala.edu.iq\/wp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}