Atrial Fibrillation: Causes, Types, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Learn about the causes and types of atrial fibrillation to detect the condition at an early stage. Know how proper treatment and lifestyle changes can keep it in check.
Written by Dr Sonia Bhatt
Last updated on 3rd Jul, 2025
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) refers to irregular and rapid heart rhythm in the atria (upper heart chamber). It is a common type of arrhythmia in which the electrical signal that coordinates one’s heartbeat becomes disorganised. This can lead to ineffective contraction of the atria, reduce the heart’s efficiency in pumping blood, and increase the heart rate to over 100 BPM.
Keep reading about this heart condition to understand the causes and symptoms of atrial fibrillation and the ways to maintain a healthy heart.
Causes of Atrial Fibrillation
The underlying causes and risk factors of atrial fibrillation are discussed below:
The most common cause of atrial fibrillation is changes in the heart’s tissues.
Changes in the electrical signals that cause heartbeats can cause this condition.
Underlying conditions such as coronary artery disease, infections, high blood pressure, and congenital heart diseases can lead to atrial fibrillation.
Here are some of the factors that increase the risks of atrial fibrillation:
Genetics and Family History: If any of the family members have a history of AFib (atrial fibrillation) or any severe heart disease, the next generation may develop the risk of the disease.
Ageing: Older people above 65 years of age are prone to the risk of atrial fibrillation
Lifestyle Choices: Individuals with records of drinking alcohol, smoking, or using illegal drugs have higher risks of atrial fibrillation.
Some more factors that increase the risks of atrial fibrillation include:
Obesity
Diabetes
Diseases of the heart valve
Heart failure
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
Hyperthyroidism
Sleep apnea
Chronic kidney disease
Recent surgery of lungs, heart, or oesophagus
Types of Atrial Fibrillation
Based on the duration of episodes, atrial fibrillation is divided into the following three types:
Paroxysmal AFib: The episode of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation stays for one week or less and fades away even without treatment. However, people diagnosed with this condition often have the risk of stroke, and individuals can feel unwell after the episodes are over.
Persistent AFib: The episodes of persistent fibrillation last more than 7 days. Doctors prescribe specialised treatment plans for persistent AFib to normalise the sinus rhythm or slow down the heart rate. Long-term persistent AFib, on the other hand, lasts for over a year, and the treatment procedure is also difficult.
Permanent AFib: As the name suggests, permanent atrial fibrillation becomes a consistent condition of AFib in patients. Management typically focuses on controlling the heart rate and preventing clot formation through medications and lifestyle modifications.
Symptoms and Signs of Atrial Fibrillation
As per American Heart Association, a fluttering heart is the most common symptom of atrial fibrillation. Here are some more symptoms of AFib:
General fatigue
Breathlessness during physical activity
Irregular heartbeat or palpitations
Low blood pressure
Chest pain or discomfort
Dizziness
Fainting
Lightheadedness
Uneasy feeling
Diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is diagnosed by several tests and medical history. These are:
Physical Examination
While diagnosing atrial fibrillation, the healthcare providers ask the patient some questions. An individual’s family history, physical activity, risk factors, and symptoms help physicians to diagnose AFib.
Here are some of the physical tests that a doctor recommends to diagnose atrial fibrillation in an individual:
Blood pressure and pulse
Size of the thyroid gland
Swelling of feet to check for heart failure
Listening to heart rhythm using a stethoscope, etc.
Diagnostic Tests and Procedures
Here are some more tests that a healthcare provider recommends to diagnose if an individual has atrial fibrillation:
Echocardiogram: This is an ultrasound of the heart that detects issues with muscle contraction, blood flow, and blood clots in the heart.
Electrocardiogram (ECG): The electrical signals of an individual’s heart are recorded in this test to check the heartbeat.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Cardiac MRI): This imaging test does not use any radiation to picture the function and structure of one’s heart. It helps the healthcare provider to check heart issues that can cause atrial fibrillation.Blood Tests: Imbalances in blood can lead to atrial fibrillation. Blood tests help check the thyroid hormone and potassium levels in one's blood so that doctors can assess the AFib conditions accurately.
Complications Associated with Atrial Fibrillation
If left untreated, atrial fibrillation can lead to the following complications:
Blood clots that can cause stroke
Heart failure
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Specific heart valve diseases
Treatment Options for Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is treated to manage heart rate, reduce the risks of stroke, and regain normal heart rate. Doctors prescribe the following treatment procedures depending on the severity of AFib conditions of an individual:
Medications: Carvedilol, Digoxin, Verapamil, etc., help manage an individual's heart rhythm. Doctors also prescribe medicines like Sotalol, Flecainide, Disopyramide, Procainamide, etc., to keep one's heartbeat in the regular sinus rhythm. Some medications, like Warfarin, Apixaban, Dabigatran, etc., are called blood thinners. They help reduce the risks of blood clots.
Non-invasive Procedure: This procedure includes treatment like pulmonary vein isolation or electrical cardioversion to improve heart function. In pulmonary vein isolation, catheters are used to deliver energy around one’s pulmonary veins. It helps the heart respond faster to the atrial fibrillation medicines.
Surgical Procedure: Surgeries are done to implant a pacemaker under one's skin to normalise the heart rate. Other than that, the left atrial appendage closure and maze procedure are performed when an individual gets open-heart surgery to reduce blood clot risks and regulate heart functioning.
Lifestyle Modifications and Management
Individuals diagnosed with atrial fibrillation should follow a healthy diet which includes the following foods:
Whole grains
Nuts and seeds
Lean meat
Beans
Fruits and vegetables
Low-fat dairy products, etc.
Regular exercise also helps keep the heart muscles strong, regulate blood flow, improve sleep, and keep one's weight in control. All these help reduce the arrhythmia episodes in atrial fibrillation-affected individuals.
Stress management is another way to maintain the heart rate, as excessive stress can speed up the heart rate. So, individuals can do yoga or listen to soothing music to release stress and anxiety.
Drinking alcohol can worsen the AFib condition in an individual. Individuals should quit drinking or at least limit the consumption of alcohol to maintain a healthy heart. Smoking and tobacco consumption also increase the risks of AFib, so one must quit them to avoid heart health complications.
Living with Atrial Fibrillation
Monitoring heart health is possible with a healthy diet, quitting smoking and alcohol consumption, and following a regular exercise routine.
Individuals diagnosed with atrial fibrillation should perform physical activities at least 5 days a week for 30 minutes daily.
If the symptoms persist despite a healthy lifestyle and proper treatment, one should consult with the doctor immediately.
A routine check-up is also necessary for AFib patients as it helps keep track of their condition.
Individuals should share all their symptoms and concerns with the doctor to make the treatment procedure more effective.
Sharing experiences with healthcare professionals or support group members can help individuals cope with the condition better.
Conclusion
Timely diagnosis and appropriate management strategies can help minimise the risks associated with AFib and improve their quality of life. Regular monitoring and lifestyle adjustments play critical roles in maintaining cardiovascular health.
Consulting a healthcare professional for personalised treatment plans is essential to effectively manage the condition and prevent complications.
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