Atrial fibrillation occurs when your heart beats fast.Your heart beat is fast or irregular.If left unaddressed, it can lead to strokes or heart disease.If it seems irregular, you may be able to identify it at home.If you have the common symptoms, notice.If you suspect you have the disease, you should visit your doctor.
Step 1: Take a break for 5 minutes.
When determining if you have an issue, you want to check your resting heart rate.It takes at least 5 minutes to rest if you sit or lie down.
Step 2: You should extend your left hand in front of you.
Relax your arm and hand by facing your palm toward the ceiling.You can tilt your arm towards your body.It will be easier to find your pulse on your left arm if your heart is on the left side.
Step 3: At the base of your left thumb, place your right index and middle fingers.
This is between your thumb and wrist.Press against your skin.As your blood moves through the vein, you will feel a steady beat.You don't have to apply a lot of pressure to find your pulse.It can be hard to feel it if you press down too hard.Move your fingers until you feel your heart beating.
Step 4: You can count how many times your heart beats by using a clock or timer.
You can set a timer or watch an analogue clock.Take a count of the number of times your heart beats.The pattern of your heart beats can be noticed.
Step 5: Determine if your pulse is normal.
A normal pulse feels like a steady beat.You may notice irregular beats, such as missed beats or galloped beats.It might be a symptom of AFib if you frequently experience theseIrregularities.
Step 6: If your heart beat rises above 100 beats per minute, notice.
It is possible that your heart is beating fast.It could be caused by lifestyle choices, such as drinking too much coffee.If you're experiencing a rapid pulse, it's best to see your doctor.The resting heart rate is usually between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
Step 7: If you have chest pain, you should get medical care immediately.
It can cause chest pains and make you feel like you are having trouble breathing.You need emergency treatment for both of these symptoms.Make sure you visit your doctor, urgent care center, or emergency room as soon as possible.There are many causes of chest pain, which can be minor or life threatening.If you want to get proper treatment, you need to see your doctor.
Step 8: If you feel like your heart is racing, notice.
When you are at rest, your heart rate may feel like it is pounding.It is normal to occasionally feel like your heart is racing, but you may have a medical issue if it does.It may seem like your heartbeat doesn't have a good rhythm, in addition to racing.It could speed up and slow down, or it could feel like it is skipping beats.There are a number of symptoms that can occur during a panic attack.During a panic attack, you could feel a sense of impending doom, loss of control, trembling, dizziness, and confusion.Talk to your doctor about your treatment options if you are experiencing these symptoms.
Step 9: If you frequently feel weakness and fatigue, consider it.
No matter how much you rest, you might feel like you don't have any energy.This can be a sign of other conditions but it is also a symptom of AFib.Your doctor can help you figure it out.
Step 10: If you feel lightheadedness, dizziness, or confusion, sit down.
AFib can cause you to feel lightheaded, dizzy or confused.The symptoms may go away with treatment.Discuss treatments with your doctor.People around you can help you if you tell them that you are feeling these symptoms.Say that you are feeling dizzy and lightheaded.Can you help me sit?
Step 11: If you are having trouble exercising, notice.
It is difficult to exercise if your heart rate is high.You may feel overwhelmed and winded when you try to exercise, even after just a few minutes.When trying to decide if you have a disease, consider your symptoms as a whole.You should visit your doctor if you are worried about a medical condition.
Step 12: If you have any symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor.
AFib can cause you to develop more serious problems.If you get a proper diagnosis from your doctor, you can manage your condition.Diagnostic tests will likely be done by your doctor.These tests are easy to do.
Step 13: Your doctor can rule out other conditions if you do a complete blood count.
A blood test is likely to be done in your doctor's office.Your doctor will draw a sample from you to send to the lab.The results of your blood test can show if you have a problem with hormones or minerals, such as athyroid issue.The test will check for an infectious disease.You should not feel any pain during the blood test.
Step 14: Your doctor will do an electrocardiogram.
The painless test is usually done in your doctor's office.Your doctor will attach small sensors to your body.Your doctor will send electrical signals to your heart to measure its rhythm.Your doctor can use the report from the test to determine if you have a disease.You should not feel any pain during the test.
Step 15: Your doctor can do an echocardiogram to get a video image of your heart.
Your doctor is likely to perform this test in their office.The doctor will use a device to send sound waves through your chest.Your doctor will use the video image of your heart to make a diagnosis when the sound waves bounce back.If the echocardiogram doesn't produce a clear image, your doctor may decide to have you swallow a flexible tube with a transducer attached to get a clearer image of your heartIt shouldn't be painful.
Step 16: You can take a stress test to see how your heart works.
During a stress test, your doctor will put wires on your chest to record your heart rate and rhythm.They will have you walk or run on a treadmill.Your doctor will be able to make a diagnosis if he or she gets a report about your heart's function from the stress test.A stress test will be painless, but you may experience some pain from the exercise itself.To do the stress test, your doctor may need to send you to an outpatient facility.
Step 17: If your doctor tells you to wear a Holter monitor, you should.
You may be told to wear the portable electrocardiogram device for 24 to 48 hours.If the episodes are intermittent, a Holter monitor will be better for detecting afib.It is important to follow your doctor's instructions for wearing the device.
Step 18: Your doctor can rule out lung issues with a chest X-ray.
If you have lung problems, such as pneumonia, your doctor may take an X-ray to see if they cause your symptoms.The doctor will probably do the X-ray in their office.Your doctor can decide if you need a chest X-ray.