Atrial fibrillation symptoms

Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
Updated on September 19, 2024
00:00
00:00

Atrial fibrillation is a common type of arrhythmia we encounter in our daily lives. So, what symptoms generally accompany atrial fibrillation? These symptoms are often characterized by sudden onset and cessation of palpitations, or chest tightness. During palpitations or chest tightness, dizziness often accompanies, and some patients may experience chest pain. If you exhibit these symptoms, don't panic. You can visit the cardiology outpatient department at a hospital. There, a doctor can perform an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor test to see if you have atrial fibrillation. Blood tests can also be done to check if hyperthyroidism, a potential cause of atrial fibrillation, is present. Based on these examinations, follow the doctor's guidance and take medications as prescribed for treatment.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
1min 37sec home-news-image

Is heart palpitation the same as atrial fibrillation?

Palpitations are considered a disease term in Chinese medicine, while atrial fibrillation is a medical term in Western medicine. Generally, if there is a correlation between Chinese and Western medical terminology, palpitations can correspond to atrial fibrillation, but not all cases of palpitations are atrial fibrillation. In Chinese medicine, palpitations refer to a subjective feeling of unease or discomfort in the chest, and a feeling of irregular heartbeats. For example, some people may feel their heartbeat distinctly even when their heart rate is not fast, especially when their blood pressure is high; this is also considered palpitations. Additionally, some people may experience a rapid "thumping" heart rate after physical exertion or when they have a fever, which is also a manifestation of palpitations. There are also healthy, sensitive young individuals who can feel their heartbeat while lying down quietly or during sleep, which is also classified as palpitations. However, palpitations that are caused by heart arrhythmias, like atrial fibrillation, where individuals can feel their heart beating rapidly and experience anxiety, are specifically indicative of atrial fibrillation; other types are not considered the same.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
52sec home-news-image

Can hormones be used for atrial fibrillation?

Patients with atrial fibrillation can use steroids, but in principle, it is best not to use them. This is because the use of steroids can cause excitement of the sympathetic nerves, leading to an increased heart rate, which in turn can trigger an episode of atrial fibrillation and cause uncomfortable heart symptoms, such as palpitations, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing. Of course, atrial fibrillation is not a contraindication for the use of steroids. If the condition requires it, such as during an asthma attack or certain immunological diseases, steroids can be used. When using steroids, it is important to strengthen observation and inform the patient to seek timely medical attention at a hospital if symptoms of an atrial fibrillation episode, such as palpitations or chest tightness, occur.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
46sec home-news-image

Can people with atrial fibrillation drink alcohol?

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia among many middle-aged and elderly people, and in our country, which has a strong culture of alcohol consumption, many people enjoy drinking. So, can you drink alcohol if you have atrial fibrillation? My advice is that it's best not to drink. Modern medical research has shown that alcohol can potentially trigger attacks of atrial fibrillation, and in our clinical practice, we often find that many patients experience an onset of atrial fibrillation by drinking alcohol, sometimes even necessitating hospital treatment due to the episodes. Therefore, it is recommended that patients with atrial fibrillation avoid or minimize alcohol consumption.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
51sec home-news-image

Atrial fibrillation symptoms

Atrial fibrillation is a common type of arrhythmia we encounter in our daily lives. So, what symptoms generally accompany atrial fibrillation? These symptoms are often characterized by sudden onset and cessation of palpitations, or chest tightness. During palpitations or chest tightness, dizziness often accompanies, and some patients may experience chest pain. If you exhibit these symptoms, don't panic. You can visit the cardiology outpatient department at a hospital. There, a doctor can perform an electrocardiogram or a Holter monitor test to see if you have atrial fibrillation. Blood tests can also be done to check if hyperthyroidism, a potential cause of atrial fibrillation, is present. Based on these examinations, follow the doctor's guidance and take medications as prescribed for treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zeng Wei Jie
Cardiology
1min 8sec home-news-image

Can atrial fibrillation be completely cured?

Regarding whether atrial fibrillation can be completely cured, it essentially depends on the definition of being completely cured. If the criterion is complete cessation of medication, then many patients cannot achieve this. However, if the standard is conversion of atrial fibrillation back to normal sinus rhythm, then it is achievable for many patients, such as those with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, who suffer from recurrent episodes and do not respond well to medication. In such cases, radiofrequency ablation might be attempted, and there is a high likelihood that after the treatment, the rhythm will convert to sinus rhythm. In this sense, some people can be considered cured. However, whether anticoagulation therapy can be discontinued depends on their thromboembolic risk score. This means that even if atrial fibrillation converts to sinus rhythm after radiofrequency ablation, some patients still need long-term anticoagulant medication. Therefore, from the perspective of discontinuing medication, such patients with atrial fibrillation are not considered cured.