Diagnosis

AF often occurs with no symptoms and is not be itself generally life-threatening. Forty percent (40%) of all people with AF experience no symptoms. However, those who are symptomatic may complain of palpitations, chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, generalized fatigue or fainting. In these cases, AF is a medical emergency.

AF is best diagnosed by having a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) performed in a physician’s office.

ECG of atrial fibrillation (top) and normal sinus rhythm (bottom)