Atrial Fibrillation - Symptoms and Risk Factors

What Are the Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation?

Some patients with AF may be totally asymptomatic.  Others may have some of the following bothersome symptoms:

• Palpitations
• Chest discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Giddiness

What are the Risk Factors for Atrial Fibrillation?

• Increasing age
• Hypertension
• Heart failure
• Obesity
• Diabetes mellitus
• Chronic renal disease
• Metabolic Syndrome
• Hyperlipidaemia

Why is Atrial Fibrillation Dangerous?

Atrial fibrillation is dangerous because it significantly increases the risk of strokes.  Someone with AF is about 3 - 5 times more likely to have a stroke than someone who does not have AF.  Uncoordinated heart contractions result in pooling of blood within the atria.  This pooling can cause clot formation, and if this gets dislodged and pumped into the bloodstream, it can potentially travel to the brain and cause a stroke.

Other than increasing the risk of strokes, atrial fibrillation can also lead to heart failure.