Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

Many people with AFib feel no symptoms at all. They do not know they have AFib or that there is a problem. Others can tell as soon as it happens. The symptoms of AFib are different for each person. This depends on age, the cause of the AFib (such as heart problems or other diseases), and on how much AFib affects the pumping of the heart. Symptoms include:

• Feeling overtired or a lack of energy (most common)
• Pulse that is faster than normal or changing between fast and slow and feels irregular
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations (feeling like your heart is racing, pounding, or fluttering)
• Trouble with everyday exercises or activities
• Pain, pressure, tightness, or discomfort in your chest
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
• Increased urination (using the bathroom more often)

The symptoms of atrial fibrillation may be exaggerated by other conditions such as infection, sepsis, hypoxia due to respiratory illness, hemorrhage and any stress, either physical or emotional.