According to the American Heart Association, “Atrial fibrillation is a disorder found in about 2.2 million Americans. During atrial fibrillation, the heart’s two small upper chambers (the atria) quiver instead of beating effectively. Blood isn’t pumped completely out of them, so it may pool and clot. If a piece of a blood clot in the atria leaves the heart and becomes lodged in an artery in the brain, a stroke results. About 15 percent of strokes occur in people with atrial fibrillation”.

There are many questions surrounding atrial fibrillation. NorthShore University HealthSystem had an online live chat on the topic a few months ago, which sought out to answer some of these questions. Here are just a few:
The symptoms of Atrial fibrillation and some sound very similar to a heart attack (shortness of breath and chest pains for example). How do I differentiate between the two?
Dr. Westby G. Fisher (NorthShore):

Heart attacks are often difficult to identify from symptoms alone, because nearly have of those who have a heart attack never feel the symptoms. In general, atrial fibrillation is characterized by an irregular pulse and loss of mechanical contraction of the upper chambers of the heart, which diminishes the heart’s pumping ability slightly. This can lead to symptoms of shortness of breath, lightheadedness, palpitations (an uncomfortable heart beat), and sometimes chest or neck discomfort described as tightness or (less often) pain. If concerned, it is wise to seek medical attention if you have any of these symptoms.

For more questions and answers, check out the atrial fibrillation live chat transcript.

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