Don’t Ignore Your Heart's Warning Signs

Intro

If your heart feels different, pay attention. Some rhythms are harmless, but others are urgent. Atrial fibrillation, often called AFib, is the most common irregular heart rhythm diagnosed in adults. It can be silent or it can cause dramatic symptoms. Either way, untreated AFib raises the risk of stroke and heart failure. This article explains what to watch for, when to call 911, what evaluation usually involves, and how treatment can protect you. Everything here is based on high-authority clinical sources so you can act with confidence.

To see how this feels in real life, our clinician in the video walks through AFib using simple language. We have woven that guidance throughout this article so you can follow along.

Cross reference: If you need coordinated support while you sort out heart symptoms or a new AFib diagnosis, our team can help with referrals, appointments, and day to day planning on the Heart Disease Support and Stroke Recovery Support pages. If you are learning to manage medicines or side effects in general, you may also find our Managing Neuropathy Medication Side Effects article helpful for safe medication habits and questions to bring to visits.

What the video explains in plain language

Our clinician highlights AFib because it is common and important to treat. Here are the key points, translated into clear steps you can use:

• AFib means the top chambers of your heart are not beating in a steady, coordinated way. Instead of a smooth up and down rhythm, the electrical signals are disorganized and the heartbeat can feel fast or fluttery.
• If you already have a known diagnosis, your primary care clinician and cardiologist may be monitoring you. Many people do well with medicines and regular follow up.
• New, worsening, or undiagnosed AFib with symptoms is different. That can be a true medical emergency. Symptoms may include chest fluttering with a fast or irregular pulse, dizziness, sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, weakness, or even loss of consciousness.
• If you have severe symptoms or you pass out, call 911.
• If you notice a sudden irregular rapid heartbeat without other symptoms, call your clinician or cardiologist right away the same day.
• AFib is treatable. There are medicines, electrical procedures such as cardioversion, and catheter ablation options. The right plan depends on your health history and how you respond to treatment. Ongoing monitoring matters.

Why heart warning signs matter

AFib and other urgent heart problems can reduce blood flow to your brain and body. AFib can also allow blood to pool in the heart’s upper chambers, which increases the chance that a clot will form and travel to the brain, causing a stroke. Timely treatment lowers these risks and helps you feel better.

AFib basics you can trust

What AFib is

AFib is an irregular rhythm that starts in the atria, the upper chambers of the heart. Electrical signals fire chaotically, which can make the heartbeat irregular and often too fast. Some people feel palpitations or fluttering. Others feel tired, short of breath, or lightheaded. Some feel nothing at all, and AFib is found only on an exam or an electrocardiogram.

What AFib feels like

Common symptoms include:

• A rapid or irregular heartbeat that may start suddenly
• A fluttering or pounding feeling in your chest
• Shortness of breath, especially with activity or at rest if severe
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fatigue or weakness
• Chest discomfort or pressure. If you have chest pain or pressure, treat it as an emergency and call 911.

Why AFib can be dangerous

The irregular rhythm can lead to poor blood flow, a higher risk of forming clots in the atria, stroke, and over time heart failure if not addressed. Stroke risk varies by age and other conditions, but it is high enough that many people with AFib benefit from blood thinners after an individual risk assessment.

Do not wait if you notice urgent warning signs

Call 911 now if you have any of the following

• Fainting, near fainting, or severe dizziness with a rapid, irregular heartbeat
• Chest pain, pressure, or tightness that lasts more than a few minutes or keeps returning
• Signs of stroke that start suddenly. Think FAST: face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, time to call 911. Other stroke signs include sudden trouble seeing, sudden trouble walking, severe headache with no known cause, or sudden confusion.

Call your clinician today if you notice

• A new fluttering or rapidly irregular heartbeat that just started
• Shortness of breath with mild activity or at rest that is new for you
• Unexplained fatigue, skipped beats, or persistent palpitations
• An at-home device alerting you to an irregular rhythm, even if you feel fine. Pocket ECGs and smartwatches are helpful tools but they are not a diagnosis. Your clinician will confirm with an ECG and decide on next steps.

How AFib is diagnosed

Your clinician will start with an electrocardiogram to capture the heart rhythm. Because AFib can come and go, you may be asked to wear a portable monitor such as a Holter monitor for a day or a patch monitor for a longer period. Blood tests often check thyroid function and electrolytes. An echocardiogram may assess your heart’s structure and pumping function. These tests are routine and help guide treatment.

Treatment options that work

Your plan will be personalized. Common parts of treatment include the following, supported by major medical centers and national guidelines.

Stroke prevention

Your clinician will estimate stroke risk using a standardized score and discuss blood thinners if the benefit outweighs the risk. Anticoagulant medicines lower the chance of clot formation and stroke in many people with AFib.

Rate control

Medicines such as beta blockers or calcium channel blockers are often used to slow a fast heart rate so you feel better and your heart can pump more effectively.

Rhythm control

If symptoms continue or if rhythm control is preferred for your situation, options include:

• Cardioversion to restore a normal rhythm using a brief, controlled electrical shock.
• Antiarrhythmic medicines that help maintain normal rhythm in selected people.
• Catheter ablation to interrupt the misfiring signals that drive AFib. This is a minimally invasive procedure performed by a heart rhythm specialist. Many people feel better and have fewer AFib episodes after ablation, although some need repeat treatment.

Treating what contributes to AFib

Blood pressure, sleep apnea, weight, diabetes, thyroid issues, alcohol, and certain lung or heart conditions can make AFib more likely or more symptomatic. Addressing these factors reduces episodes and improves outcomes.

Everyday steps to protect your heart

• Know your numbers. Track blood pressure and heart rate. Bring a simple log to visits.
• Limit alcohol and avoid tobacco. Both are linked to more AFib episodes and poorer outcomes.
• Prioritize sleep. Ask about screening for sleep apnea if you snore or wake unrefreshed.
• Move safely. Gentle daily activity is encouraged after your clinician clears you. Stop and call if symptoms worsen.
• Use medicines as directed. Take blood thinners and heart medicines exactly as prescribed. Do not stop suddenly without medical advice.
• Have an action plan. Write down which symptoms mean call 911 and which mean call your clinician. Share this with family or caregivers.

What to do in the moment if your heart suddenly feels off

1. Check how you feel. If you have chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, or signs of stroke, call 911.
2. Look at the time. If symptoms are mild but new, note the start time. This can guide treatment decisions if stroke symptoms appear.
3. Sit down and breathe slowly. Avoid driving yourself.
4. Call your clinician the same day for new palpitations, a very fast or irregular pulse, or device alerts, even if symptoms settle.
5. Have your medication and condition list ready in case you need emergency care.

How Understood Care can help

Heart symptoms can be scary, and navigating referrals, tests, and medicines on your own can be overwhelming. If you want support we can:

• Coordinate cardiology referrals and confirm urgent appointment details
• Help you track symptoms, blood pressure, and pulse in a simple home log
• Prepare questions for visits and organize test results in one place
• Review medicine schedules and safety flags so you know what to do if side effects appear

Visit Heart Disease Support or Stroke Recovery Support to get started. For general medication safety routines and side effect planning, see Managing Neuropathy Medication Side Effects for practical strategies you can adapt to heart medicines.

FAQ

• ‍What is atrial fibrillation
  AFib is an irregular heart rhythm that begins in the atria. The heartbeat becomes irregular and often fast, which can reduce blood flow and increase the risk of stroke. Some people feel fluttering or palpitations. Others feel tired or short of breath. Some have no symptoms and AFib is found on an ECG.‍
• When should I call 911 for AFib symptoms
  Call 911 for chest pain or pressure, severe shortness of breath, fainting, or stroke signs such as face drooping, arm weakness, or speech difficulty. These symptoms require immediate evaluation. If you notice a sudden irregular rapid heartbeat without other symptoms, call your clinician right away the same day.
• Can anxiety feel like AFib
  Stress and anxiety can cause palpitations, but only an ECG can confirm AFib. Because AFib raises stroke risk, new or persistent palpitations deserve a same day call to your clinician for guidance and possible testing.‍
• How do clinicians diagnose AFib
  Diagnosis usually starts with an ECG. If AFib comes and goes, your clinician may order a wearable monitor to capture episodes. Blood tests and an echocardiogram can look for causes and guide treatment.‍
• What are the main treatment options
  Plans are individualized and often include blood thinners to reduce stroke risk, medicines to slow or normalize the rhythm, cardioversion, and catheter ablation in selected cases. Treating conditions like high blood pressure and sleep apnea improves results.‍
• Do smartwatches diagnose AFib
  Smartwatches can detect possible irregular rhythms and prompt you to seek care. They are not a diagnosis. If your device flags AFib or you feel a new fluttering heartbeat, contact your clinician to confirm with an ECG and discuss next steps.‍
• What if my AFib is asymptomatic
  Many people never feel episodes. Your clinician may still recommend treatment to lower the risk of stroke. Keep scheduled follow ups, take medicines as directed, and ask how to monitor at home.

References

• Mayo Clinic. Atrial fibrillation: Symptoms and causes. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atrial-fibrillation/symptoms-causes/syc-20350624
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Atrial Fibrillation. https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/atrial-fibrillation.html
• Cleveland Clinic. Atrial Fibrillation: Symptoms and Treatment. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16765-atrial-fibrillation-afib
• American Heart Association. What are the Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/atrial-fibrillation/what-are-the-symptoms-of-atrial-fibrillation
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH. Atrial Fibrillation. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/atrial-fibrillation
• American Heart Association. Heart Attack, Stroke and Cardiac Arrest Symptoms. https://www.heart.org/en/about-us/heart-attack-and-stroke-symptoms
• CDC. Signs and Symptoms of Stroke. https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/signs-symptoms/index.html
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH. Stroke Signs and Symptoms. https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/stroke/signs-and-symptoms
• American Stroke Association. Stroke Symptoms and Warning Signs. https://www.stroke.org/en/about-stroke/stroke-symptoms

This content is educational and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized care.