Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation can occur without causing any symptoms. If you’re experiencing symptoms, they could include lack of energy, dizziness, chest discomfort, shortness of breast, or heart palpitations. You may feel tired and lethargic. Older people mostly don’t have any symptoms.
Diagnosis
Atrial fibrillation is commonly diagnosed by the following tests:
- Holter monitor.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG).
- Portable event monitor.
- Transtelephonic monitor.
Holter monitor: A small external recorder is worn for one to three days. Electrodes (sticky patches) are attached to your chest skin. The electrodes are connected to the monitor by wires. The monitor continually records and stores the electrical impulses. After the monitor is removed, a technician analyses the data on a computer to determine the heart’s rhythm.
Electrocardiogram: The ECG shows the electrical impulses passing through the heart muscle on graph paper. An EKG is a recording of the heart’s electrical activity. A specific monitor may be needed to “catch” the arrhythmia in those who have intermittent symptoms.
Portable event monitor: A monitor is worn for almost a month for people who experience less frequent irregular episodes or symptoms. Electrodes (sticky patches) are applied to your chest. The electrodes are connected to the monitor by wires. When symptoms arise, the patient presses a button to activate the monitor. For several seconds, the instrument records the electrical activity of the heart. The patient then sends the device’s recorded data to the doctor’s office for evaluation over a phone connection. The portable event monitor might help you find which heart rhythm is causing your symptoms.
Transtelephonic monitor: A strip of your current heart rhythm can be transferred to your doctor’s office via the phone, using a monitor with two bracelets, or by pressing the monitor on your chest wall when you experience symptoms of atrial fibrillation.
