How to deal with atrial fibrillation - rapid or irregular heartbeat

Many people have experienced heart palpitations - a feeling that your heart is beating too hard or too fast. In most cases these palpitations are neither serious nor harmful, but they can give you a scare. Usually, they are caused either by stress and anxiety or after participating in sports. Generally, there is nothing to worry about.

But some may suddenly feel their heartbeat increase or become irregular and this can continue for a while. This condition could be a symptom of atrial fibrillation (AF or A-Fib), which needs immediate medical diagnosis. Leaving it unresolved means the risk of a stroke is increased twofold.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common abnormal heart rhythm and is sometimes referred to as quivering heart. It can lead to blood clots, a stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.

It's a degenerative disease that ordinarily affects older people. But people with high blood pressure, thyroid diseases, structural heart disease and those who are overweight are an increased risk of AF.

People who show symptoms of AF may experience palpitations, lower blood pressure, weakness, dizziness, confusion, shortness of breath, or feel dull chest pains.

There are three types of AF, which are categorised depending on the frequency of recurrence:

• Paroxysmal AF (occasional) - symptoms vary in duration, lasting just a matter of seconds in some cases, but they can persist for longer. This type of AF occurs when faulty electrical signals and rapid heart rate begin suddenly and then stop on their own. The symptoms can be either mild or severe and generally cease, without treatment, within seven days.
   
• Persistent AF - this occurs when the abnormal heart rhythm continues for more than a week. It may stop on its own, but it is more likely to come to an end when the patient receives treatment.
   
• Permanent AF - this type of AF has usually persisted for more than a year and occurs when normal heart rhythm cannot be restored with usual treatment. If paroxysmal and persistent AF become more frequent they can develop into permanent AF.

Paroxysmal means it comes and goes on its own within seven days. If it lasts longer it's considered persistent. These two types can be controlled with medication. But permanent sufferers may need surgery to correct the problem because the heartbeat irregularity will not go away on its own.