Skip to main content.

Atrial Fibrillation... What you should know

Posted October 25, 2021 by Sahil P. Attawala, MD and Lori O'Shell APRN-CNP

Heart with monitor lines

Atrial fibrillation (also called AFib) is a chaotic, or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. According to the American Heart Association (AHA), at least 2.7 million Americans are currently living with AFib and it is estimated that by 2030 more than 12 million Americans will have AFib.

With normal electrical conduction, impulses originate from an area in the top right corner of the heart known as the sinus node. A wave of electricity then spreads across the atria traveling to the lower two chambers through a specialized conducting pathway known as the AV node. This action causes the heart muscle to contract and relax.

In atrial fibrillation, you have rapid chaotic firing of electrical impulses from the atria which causes the rhythm to be irregular and in most cases fast. The normal heart rate is 60-100 BPM.

Because of the irregular and chaotic flow of blood through the heart with AFib, small blood clots can form in the heart chambers. These clots can travel through the bloodstream to the brain, causing a stroke. About 15–20 percent of people who have strokes have Atrial Fibrillation. This clot risk is why patients with this condition are put on blood thinners.

Even though untreated atrial fibrillation doubles the risk of heart-related deaths and is associated with a 5-fold increased risk for stroke, many patients are unaware that AFib is a serious condition. It is a serious progressive condition that usually cannot be cured, however, with early detection it can be successfully managed.

Summa Health System strives to help patients develop a better understanding of Atrial Fibrillation so they can live a normal, active life.

Who does AFib affect?

Although Atrial Fibrillation is very prevalent in the aging population, it can affect younger individuals as well.  According to the CDC, risk factors for AFib include but are not limited to the following:

  • Advancing age
  • High blood pressure
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Heart failure
  • Ischemic heart disease
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Moderate to heavy alcohol use
  • Smoking
  • Enlargement of the chambers on the left side of the heart

Untreated sleep apnea and excessive alcohol consumption are also prevalent among patients with AFib.

What are the signs and symptoms of AFib?

Some people are completely symptom-free with AFib but many experience some or many of the following:

  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Heart palpitations (rapid, fluttering, or pounding)
  • Lightheadedness/Dizziness
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain
  • Change in exercise tolerance

If treated, can AFib recur?

The likelihood of AFib returning depends on the associated conditions of each patient.

Sometimes AFib appears due to medical conditions that are temporary and can be treated. An example would be an infection, an imbalance of the body’s electrolytes, or a thyroid disorder. In these instances, once the acute medical condition is treated, AFib is less likely to recur in the short term. However, if a patient has other long-term chronic medical conditions that predispose them to AFib, e.g., hypertension, obesity, sleep apnea, etc., AFib is more likely to recur. If these conditions remain untreated, AFib is likely to occur more often and progress to a permanent condition.

What are the treatment options?

There are many options available to patients with AFib and the goals of treatment are to:

  • prevent blood clots with anticoagulants
  • restore your normal heart rate
  • restore your normal heart rhythm

These goals can be achieved by scheduling an appointment with your doctor and developing a plan that best suits your needs.


About the Author

Lori O'Shell, APRN - CNP

Schedule Appointment

Vitality eNews Sign Up

Receive the Summa Health eNewsletter for the latest health tips, advice and updates.

Related Blogs

View all Flourish Blogs

Understanding Myocarditis After COVID-19

As we continue to navigate the long-term effects of COVID-19, one condition that has raised concerns is myocarditis – an inflammation of the heart muscle. While rare, COVID-19-related myocarditis has been observed at significantly higher rates compared to pre-pandemic levels. Here’s what you need to know about how COVID-19 can affect the heart, its symptoms, risks and how to protect yourself.

How Does Myocarditis Affect the Body?

When you have myocarditis, your…

"Life's Essential 8": Habits to Boost Your Cardiovascular Health


Maintaining good cardiovascular health can help you enjoy a longer, healthier life. Cardiovascular health refers to the overall well-being of the heart and blood vessels, ensuring they function efficiently to circulate blood, oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. Strong cardiovascular health reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke and other serious conditions.

Heart disease remains a leading cause of death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. In the U.S…

Atrial Fibrillation [Podcast]

Join us for a discussion on atrial fibrillation (AFib) with Dr. Meet Patel, a cardiologist specializing in cardiac electrophysiology at Summa Health. We explore the causes, prevalence, and traditional treatments of AFib, and discuss a new treatment method called pulsed field ablation (PFA), which offers a safer and faster alternative to traditional ablation techniques.

7 Simple Steps to an Accurate Blood Pressure Reading

High blood pressure, or hypertension, can be a silent disease — without any warning signs or symptoms — and many people may not even realize they have it. But without treatment, high blood pressure can greatly increase your risk for a heart attack and stroke. 

Monitoring your blood pressure is the only way to know if you have high blood pressure. That’s why it’s important to check it regularly — at every healthcare visit and between appointments at home — to be proactive…

Cardiopulmonary Health and Rehabilitation [Podcast]

Join Bianca Grover, Fitness Specialist at the Summa Health Wellness Center and Danielle Greiner, Clinical Exercise Physiologist, to discuss Cardiopulmonary Health and Rehabilitation.

How Low Can You Go: Is Low Blood Pressure Dangerous?

Each time you visit a doctor’s office, your blood pressure is probably taken. This is one of the many vital sign checks that helps your provider keep tabs on your health. Just as some people are prone to heart disease based on their genetics and family history, blood pressure is an important predictor of future heart disease. While the risks associated with high blood pressure are well known, blood pressure that’s too low also can cause problems.

Blood pressure is…

4 Ways to Balance Your Blood Sugar - No Prescription Required!

Balancing blood sugar isn’t only for people with diabetes. Lowering blood sugar can help prevent a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes is a growing problem in this country. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) estimates almost half of Americans battle high blood sugar on a daily basis. According to the ADA, about 11 percent of Americans have diabetes, while another nearly 35 percent have prediabetes. People with high blood sugar, known as hyperglycemia, are at an…

8 Common Myths About Blood Donation Debunked

Donating blood is a life-saving gift. Every two seconds, someone in this country needs blood, according to the American Red Cross.

While it’s a fact that your blood donation can save more than one life, you may be fearful of it because of several myths surrounding blood donation. Summa Health debunks 8 common myths about donating blood to ease your mind and encourage you to give this year. There is always a need for donors. Blood has a short shelf life, so maintaining…

Blood Clots What You Need to Know and How to Help Prevent Them

When you cut yourself and injure a blood vessel, blood clotting is an important process that seals your wound and prevents excessive bleeding. Once your injury is healed, the body naturally dissolves the blood clot.

Blood clots can also form inside the blood vessels without an injury and do not dissolve naturally. This can become life-threatening and cause long-term effects, such as breathing problems or chronic swelling.

Any blood clot that forms in your veins or arteries can…

A Guide To High Blood Pressure To Help You Lower Your Numbers

Reviewed February 2025

There’s good reason why blood pressure readings are taken first at all routine doctor visits. Almost half of American adults have high blood pressure, known as hypertension, according to the American Heart Association. It’s a very common condition, especially as you age.

Your blood pressure is determined both by the amount of blood your heartpumps and the amount of resistance to blood flow in your arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and…

7 Tips to living better with lupus

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disorder where the immune system’s antibodies mistakenly attack the body’s healthy cells. Because it can affect nearly any organ in the body, symptoms vary widely and can include:

  • Fatigue
  • Fever
  • Skin rashes, such as a malar rash that stretches across the cheeks and bridge of the nose (also known as a butterfly rash)
  • Joint pain
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Hair loss
  • Organ complications, such as inflammation in the lining of the heart, abdomen or lungs, and…
  • What is angina and how is it treated?

    In times of intense stress, does it ever feel like someone is squeezing your heart? Do you feel pain or numbness down your left arm? Does it seem like you get indigestion each time you exercise?

    If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be suffering from angina. Angina occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. The pain can be mild or severe and often follows exertion or stress.

    Angina is not a disease, but instead a symptom of a more…

    The Effects of COVID-19 on Heart Health [Podcast]

    Healthy VitalsListen to this episode of the Healthy Vitals Podcast featuring Roger Chaffee, MD.

    The Modern Guide to Heart Health [Podcast]

    Dr. Peter Bittenbender shares his insight on the modern guide to heart health.

    What Causes High Blood Pressure?

    Almost half of all adults in the United States have high blood pressure, but many are not aware of it. High blood pressure is dangerous and can be a silent killer if gone untreated. That’s why it’s so important to understand what causes it and how to keep it controlled.

    First – what is high blood pressure?

    In order to survive, your tissues and organs need oxygenated blood to circulate throughout the body. When your heart beats, it creates pressure that pushes…

    What Happens During A Vascular Screening?

    Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men in the US. Over 600,000 people - roughly 1 in 4 individuals - die each year. Heart disease can place you at a much higher risk for stroke and other vascular diseases.

    Carotid arteries are blood vessels in the neck that supply blood flow to the head and brain. If vascular disease develops in carotid arteries, that can lead to a higher risk of stroke. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA) are dilations or swellings of the main blood vessel in the abdomen. As AAAs enlarge, the wall becomes thinner and is at risk for bursting which can be a life threatening emergency. 

    Lowering Your Blood Pressure, Naturally

    Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)

    So you just found out that you have high blood pressure (HBP). Well, you’re not alone. Almost half of adults in the U.S. have it – and most don’t even know it.

    Fortunately, hypertension – the medical term for HBP – can typically be controlled with the right medication and lifestyle changes. In fact, lifestyle modificationslike healthier eating and regular exercise may be able to do more than just…

    [{"RootId":"ba198066-3078-4dcd-8e69-28251bebb940","RootUrl":"/glossary/"}]

    Options to Request an Appointment

    If your situation is an emergency, call 911.