Atrial Fibrillation

In atrial fibrillation, the heart can beat very fast, and in some cases over 100 beats a minute. A regular heart should beat between 60 to 100 times a minute when resting, and can be measured by feeling your pulse either in your neck or wrist. 

Other symptoms can also be experienced, including:

• dizziness

• tiredness

• shortness of breath

• chest pain

• palpitations

Some people may not even know they have an irregular heart rate, particularly older people.

Whilst the cause of atrial fibrillation is not fully understood, it does tend to affect those in a certain age group, usually over the age of 65, and can be triggered by certain factors including drinking too much alcohol or smoking. 

In addition, it can be associated with:

• high blood pressure

• diabetes

• heart failure

• sleep apnoea

• obesity

At your initial consultation, your expert cardiologist will talk to you about your specific symptoms and medical history. They’ll carry out a physical examination of your pulse and will confirm atrial fibrillation using an electrocardiogram (ECG) – a non-invasive test to check the heart’s electrical signals.

Further tests may be carried out to determine any underlying cause, or to rule out other conditions, including: 

• an echocardiogram – an ultrasound of the heart 

• blood tests

Atrial fibrillation can’t always be prevented, but you can lower your risk by living a heart-healthy lifestyle. 

Lower your risk of atrial fibrillation by:

• eating a healthy diet 

• exercising regularly

• maintaining a healthy weight 

• not smoking

• limiting alcohol

• managing other health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnoea

When the upper chambers in the heart do not pump efficiently, there’s a risk of blood clots forming. When clots are formed and move around the blood circulation, they can block arteries in the brain and cause a stroke. The risk of having a stroke with atrial fibrillation is increased by roughly 4 to 5 times.

Persistent atrial fibrillation can weaken the heart. If it’s extreme, your heart may be unable to pump blood around the body efficiently, leading to heart failure.

Whilst atrial fibrillation is not usually life-threatening, it can be uncomfortable and may require treatment. 

If you have atrial fibrillation, medication will usually be recommended to reduce your risk of stroke, such as blood thinners. 

Other treatment options will depend on your age, specific symptoms and any underlying conditions. Options include: 

• medication to control heart rhythm

• cardioversion to shock the heart into a normal rhythm

• catheter ablation to destroy the area inside the heart that’s causing the abnormal heart rhythm

At Welbeck, our cardiologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.