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Atrial fibrillation is a heart rhythm abnormality that affects over two million people in the UK and raises the risk of serious health complications, yet often goes undiagnosed.
If you have symptoms or concerns, we offer rapid access to accurate tests and effective treatment.
At HCA UK we offer:
What are atrial fibrillation (Afib) symptoms?
There are a range of signs and symptoms of atrial fibrillation, many of which are consistent with other heart conditions.
If you have atrial fibrillation, your heart will not pump oxygenated blood around your body as efficiently as it should. This is why you may experience symptoms like breathlessness, dizziness and tiredness.
You should arrange to see a GP, who may refer you to a cardiologist, if you experience any of the following atrial fibrillation symptoms:
Atrial fibrillation shares symptoms with several other heart conditions, so you should arrange to see a doctor as soon as possible for a diagnosis if you experience any. We offer same-day and next-day GP appointments, as well as a convenient, comprehensive heart health check service for peace of mind.
You should call 999 immediately if you experience:
Atrial fibrillation (also known as AF or Afib) is a heart condition that causes an irregular, often very fast heart rhythm in a part of your heart known as the atrium. It's the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm), affecting more than two million people in the UK.
It may cause your heart to beat up to 200 BPM in an irregular pattern, compared to a normal consistent heart rate at rest of between 60 - 100 BPM.
The condition causes the atria (your heart's two upper chambers) to quiver or twitch, known as fibrillation, due to out-of-control electrical signals. These signals are sent to the heart's lower chambers (the ventricles) – which are responsible for pumping blood around your body – causing them to also beat rapidly.
Atrial fibrillation isn't usually life-threatening but can lead to serious complications such as stroke or heart failure without diagnosis and treatment.
Palpitations causing a fast, irregular heartbeat is the main symptom of atrial fibrillation. You can test your heartbeat by taking your pulse in your neck:
A normal resting heart rate is between 60 and 100 BPM. If you have atrial fibrillation, your heart will often be beating at over 100 BPM.
If you think you may have atrial fibrillation, we provide comprehensive care from testing and monitoring to medication, interventional procedures like ablation therapy, and aftercare. We see more cardiac cases, including atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias, than any other private provider in the UK.
Atrial fibrillation can be categorised based on its pattern:
Atrial flutter is a less common type of atrial arrhythmia that shares symptoms with atrial fibrillation, often including an unusually fast heartbeat. It also increases the risk of stroke and heart failure but rather than chaotic electrical impulses in the atria, the rhythm is regular.
It's common to have both atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation alternating at different times. Catheter ablation is often highly effective for atrial flutter and is commonly preferred over drug treatments.
Atrial fibrillation is due to abnormal electrical impulses in your heart's upper chambers that affect its normal rhythm. It’s most often due to the effects of normal ageing on the heart and from high blood pressure. Other factors which are associated with AF include:
Atrial fibrillation is more common in older people because of the electrical changes that happen in the atria as we age, but also it’s more common to have other heart-related problems as we get older.
Lifestyle factors including obesity, alcohol, stress, smoking and substance abuse can also play a part.
You can still develop atrial fibrillation without any of these pre-existing conditions or risk factors. When a cause can't be identified, this is known as lone atrial fibrillation.
You may be diagnosed with atrial fibrillation after experiencing symptoms and visiting a GP or cardiologist. It can also be caught during routine health check-ups or checks for other problems, and it’s increasingly common for people to self-diagnose using wearable gadgets such as ECG watches.
If you do have atrial fibrillation symptoms, a health professional will examine you – including checking your pulse – and ask questions about your symptoms and medical history. They may follow this up with various tests depending on their findings, including:
Ours is the most comprehensive private diagnostics network in the UK, helping diagnose atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias accurately. If you have symptoms or concerns, we’ll confirm an appointment with a leading electrophysiologist within 24 hours to provide the most relevant tests, with results available within 48 hours.
There are several different treatments for atrial fibrillation if you receive a diagnosis. For some patients, treating the underlying cause (such as an overactive thyroid) is enough. However, most people do require treatment for atrial fibrillation itself.
Your doctor will advise you on the best course of treatment for you depending on:
The main aims of treatment are to to control your heart rate and rhythm, make you feel better and to reduce the risks of stroke and heart failure. Possible options include atrial fibrillation catheter ablation, medications, arrhythmia surgery and implantable devices such as pacemakers.
Medication for atrial fibrillation may include:
If you're at risk of a stroke, your doctor will also prescribe an anticoagulant to help prevent your blood from clotting and causing a stroke, such as rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, dabigatran or sometimes warfarin.
Possible side effectsLike most medications, some of these medicines can have side effects.
If you're worried about the possible side effects of any of these medications, speak to your cardiologist or GP for advice.
In some cases, a procedure known as electrical cardioversion (or DC Cardioversion, or DCCV) may be recommended to try and restore a normal heart rhythm.
In cardioversion, large sticky pads will be placed on your front and back. These are then connected to a defibrillator machine, which gives your heart a small, controlled electric shock to make it beat normally again. This is done under a quick, light general anaesthetic (you will be asleep).
In people with implanted defibrillators, cardioversion can also be done using your device internally. A quick, light general anaesthetic is also used.
Catheter ablation is a type of atrial fibrillation surgery and is typically carried out under general anaesthetic. Small, flexible tubes are inserted into the veins at the top of your leg, and fine wires (catheters) are guided through the tubes into your heart.
Areas of tissue in your heart which cause atrial fibrillation are destroyed using either radiofrequency energy or by freezing (cryo-ablation). This procedure corrects your heartbeat so that it beats regularly.
Pulmonary vein isolation is one type of AF ablation that uses hot or cold energy to create tiny scars in the upper left chamber of the heart and block irregular electrical signals. The upper left heart chamber is where the four lung veins connect, known as the pulmonary veins.
This ablation procedure is used in people with permanent AF to help control heart rate. It uses heat energy to create a tiny scar and block the pathway between the upper and lower chambers of your heart - an area known as the atrioventricular node - stopping the fast, irregular signals associated with atrial fibrillation. It requires insertion of a permanent pacemaker first.
Pulse field ablation is a new ablation technique that uses electrical energy to target affected heart tissue with minimal damage to surrounding structures.
Surgical treatment for AF is sometimes offered, particularly when you need surgery to another part of your heart e.g. a heart valve. It’s also used when the atria are large and can be minimally invasive, known as a convergent hybrid ablation procedure.
A surgical MAZE procedure creates multiple scars through heat, freezing or a scalpel to electrically break up the upper chambers of your heart to stop atrial fibrillation. This can also be carried out through a catheter approach.
If medication and other procedures are unsuccessful in treating your atrial fibrillation, then your doctor may suggest fitting a pacemaker so that you can have an AV node ablation procedure.
Pacemakers are smaller than a matchbox and are usually fitted inside your chest below the collarbone. They work by sending out an electrical signal which stop the heart beating slowly.
If you’re diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, we offer the full range of treatment options through our private network. We completed 3,324 ablations and fitted 885 pacemakers between 2021 and 2023, for example - and our experience ensures better outcomes for each individual. A leading electrophysiologist will discuss your options and recommend what’s most effective for you.
*Based on patient satisfaction surveys
Atrial fibrillation can cause serious health problems in some cases, particularly if left undiagnosed and untreated. If you have atrial fibrillation, you may be at greater risk of:
An irregular rhythm in the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) can cause blood clots to form. In some cases, these clots travel from the heart to the brain, blocking blood flow and causing a stroke.
If you have atrial fibrillation you are five times more likely to have a stroke than people without it, though your personal risk depends on a range of factors including your age and other health conditions.
In rare cases, atrial fibrillation which isn't controlled can lead to heart failure. This is because the excess strain placed on your heart muscle over time causes it to weaken, until it's unable to pump sufficient blood around your body.
Recurrent strokes from AF and damage to the brain can cause dementia.
AF increases the risk of dying, though there is increasing evidence that treatment, especially AF ablation, reduces this risk.
It's not always possible to prevent atrial fibrillation, particularly if it's due to normal ageing or caused by an underlying health problem. However, there are several steps you can take to reduce your risk including:
The more positive changes you can make, the more your heart and general health can improve.
While it can have serious complications, atrial fibrillation is a manageable condition with early diagnosis and the right treatment. You may need to consider certain practical issues, though your GP or cardiologist will be able to give you tailored advice on:
We're proud to work with leading cardiac experts who specialise in electrophysiology including the diagnosis, treatment and management of atrial fibrillation.
You can use our consultant finder to explore their profiles, expertise and experience, and book an appointment directly. We can also connect you with the right specialist for your symptoms or diagnosis when you request an appointment.
If symptoms are affecting your quality of life or you want to understand your heart health better, we're here to help. Our team is available to confirm an appointment with a cardiac specialist within one working day to discuss tests or private treatment for atrial fibrillation.
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This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.