When a fast heartbeat could mean AFib (atrial fibrillation)
It might be scary if your heart starts racing for a few minutes. A lot of people don’t pay attention to it because they think it’s stress, caffeine, or anxiety. But sometimes, an irregular and fast heartbeat can mean that you have atrial fibrillation, or AFib. AFib is a common heart rhythm problem that needs to be treated.
AFib is when the upper chambers of the heart beat too fast and in an irregular way. The heart doesn’t beat in a steady rhythm. This can go on for a few minutes, hours, or even longer. Some people can feel it very clearly, while others may not notice it at all. People sometimes call AFib a “silent” condition because of this.
Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
One of the most common signs of AFib is a heart that suddenly races. You might feel a fluttering, pounding, or skipping feeling in your chest. Some other signs are shortness of breath, tiredness, dizziness, chest pain, or weakness. People may think these symptoms are harmless because they come and go.
AFib is dangerous because it makes you more likely to have a stroke, heart failure, or other heart problems. Blood can pool and form clots when the heart doesn’t beat right. A clot that gets to the brain can cause a stroke. That’s why it’s very important to find and treat AFib early.
People who have high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, are overweight, or have trouble sleeping are more likely to get it. Age also makes it more likely that you will get AFib. But even younger people can get it.
If your heart starts racing for no clear reason, especially if it happens a lot, you should see a doctor. You can find AFib with a simple test like an ECG. Taking care of your heart early on can save your life.
