Diagnosing Atrial Fibrillation
Before being diagnosed with AF, most people have at least one of the common symptoms of this condition, which causes them to seek medical attention. It is important to understand these symptoms so that you will know when to talk with your doctor to receive a proper diagnosis.
Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms
Common symptoms of atrial fibrillation include irregular heartbeat, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and discomfort in the chest. Many people with AF experience feelings of weakness, lightheadedness, or dizziness due to the heart's diminished ability to pump blood. Some people become anxious or stressed by the feeling of a rapid or irregular heartbeat.
It is important to call your doctor if you are experiencing heart palpitations, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or fainting, as these may be signs of a life-threatening condition.
AF Diagnosis
Atrial fibrillation is diagnosed by reviewing a patient's medical history and documenting a characteristic, irregular heartbeat pattern on an electrocardiogram (EKG). The EKG creates a graph of the heartbeat that in patients with AF will show a chaotic, irregular line instead of the steady pattern seen in patients with normal heart rhythm. The EKG also can help your doctor diagnose other heart conditions, such as recent or past heart attack, blood clots, or inflammation of the pericardium (the thin membrane that surrounds the heart).
An EKG performed in the doctor's office or in the Emergency Room provides only a snapshot of the heart's rhythm at the time of the recording. For patients who go in and out of AF, continuous monitoring of the heart rhythm for up to 30 days is done with Holter or event monitors.
In some cases, more tests are required to evaluate patients before an atrial fibrillation diagnosis can be made. Some symptoms of AF also may be signs of an overactive thyroid, so the doctor may order a TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) stimulation test. If your doctor suspects that a blood clot, coronary artery disease, or heart attack may be causing your symptoms, different tests or cardiac catheterization may need to be performed.
For more details about atrial fibrillation symptoms and obtaining an AF diagnosis, request a phone consultation with Dr. John Sirak or call his appointment phone at (614) 366-7414.
