Sheet text
What is atrial fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common heart rhythm problem: your heartbeat is not steady. Treatment can often control it, and many people with AF do very well.1,2
Common symptoms1
1Your heart feels like it is pounding, racing, fluttering or skipping a beat.
2Pain or tightness in your chest.
3You feel short of breath.
4You feel lightheaded or dizzy, or like you might faint.
Common causes
- A problem with the electrical system that makes your heart beat.1
- High blood pressure, heart failure, heart valve problems or a heart attack.1
- An overactive thyroid, diabetes or sleep apnoea.1
- Drinking alcohol, especially a lot at one time.2
How is it treated?
There is no cure yet, but treatment eases symptoms and lowers complications. Medicines can help control your heart rate and rhythm. Blood thinners lower the risk of clots and stroke. Blood thinners raise bleeding risk, so your doctor decides if they suit you. Other options include ablation, electrical resetting of the rhythm, or a pacemaker. You will have regular check-ups to keep your symptoms under control.1,2,3
What you can do every day
- Avoid triggers such as caffeine, spicy food and stress.1
- Avoid dehydration and lack of sleep.1
- Keep a healthy weight and eat a balanced diet.1
- Exercise regularly, but not too much or too hard; ask your doctor what is safe.1
- Do not smoke, and do not drink too much alcohol.1
In AF, blood can pool in your heart and form a clot.
If the clot reaches your brain, it can cause a stroke.
This is why your doctor may prescribe a blood thinner.3,2
The printed version has space to write your dose and your next appointment.