Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is an irregular heart rhythm that disrupts the heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently, sometimes causing palpitations, fatigue, or shortness of breath, and sometimes causing no symptoms at all. This irregular rhythm can allow blood to pool in the heart and form clots, which is why AFib significantly increases the risk of stroke and requires consistent monitoring. AFib can appear in different patterns and develop from age-related changes, underlying health conditions, or lifestyle factors. With early detection, proper management, and ongoing care, most people with AFib can reduce their stroke risk and continue living active, healthy lives.
CardioVascular Health Clinic is a premier cardiovascular and vascular care center serving central and rural Oklahoma, providing our patients with a powerful combination of experienced specialists, state-of-the-art diagnostic tools, and a commitment to whole-patient wellness. From advanced imaging and minimally invasive vascular procedures to comprehensive heart-care services, our team approaches AFib not just as an isolated rhythm problem but as one part of your overall cardiovascular health. Our specialists collaborate closely under one roof — bridging cardiology, vascular medicine, and interventional care — so that every aspect of your heart and vascular health is evaluated together. Whether you need early detection, ongoing rhythm/rate management, stroke-risk assessment and prevention, or lifestyle-oriented support, CardioVascular Health Clinic gives you access to leading-edge diagnostics and personalized care plans so you can enjoy the best heart health possible.
In a healthy heart, the upper chambers (atria) and the lower chambers (ventricles) work together in a coordinated rhythm. They contract in sequence to pump blood throughout your body. With atrial fibrillation, the atria beat irregularly and often rapidly, creating a chaotic pattern of electrical activity instead of the organized rhythm needed for effective blood flow.
During AFib, the atria may quiver instead of contract. This prevents the chambers from fully emptying with each beat, allowing blood to pool, especially in the left atrial appendage. While the heart continues to pump, it does so less efficiently, and this disruption in blood flow is what contributes to symptoms, complications, and an increased risk of clot formation.
AFib doesn’t look the same for everyone. Doctors classify atrial fibrillation into several types based on how often it occurs and how long episodes last.
Understanding the type of AFib you have is important because it helps guide your overall management plan. The frequency and duration of episodes influence your symptom patterns, your long-term risks, and the strategies your care team may use to help control your heart rhythm, protect your heart function, and reduce the likelihood of stroke. These classifications also help your cardiologist monitor how the condition changes over time and adjust your care accordingly.
The link between atrial fibrillation and stroke is one of the most important reasons this condition should be treated and monitored. People with AFib have a five times higher risk of stroke compared to those without. Knowing why AFib increases your risk can help explain the importance of proper management of it.
When the atria don’t contract properly during AFib, it can cause blood to collect in certain parts of the heart chambers. This pooled blood can form clots, similar to how water that sits still can become stagnant. If a clot forms in the heart and then breaks loose, it can travel through the bloodstream to the brain where it can blood a blood vessel and cause a stroke.
These AFib-related strokes tend to be more severe than other types of strokes. This may be because clots that form in the heart can cause larger areas of brain damage compared to clots that form in other parts of the body. The good news is that with proper treatment, the risk of stroke from AFib can be greatly reduced.
AFib often develops when the heart’s electrical system becomes irritated, stretched, or damaged. While certain factors can increase your risk of developing atrial fibrillation, age is one of the most significant. As we age, natural changes in the heart—such as scarring, thickening of the atrial walls, or stiffening of the tissue—can disrupt the normal electrical signals that coordinate each heartbeat, making AFib increasingly common after the age of 60.
Other risk factors for developing AFib include:
Lifestyle factors can also contribute to AFib risk, such as:
These conditions and lifestyle factors increase AFib risk because they place extra strain on the heart, disrupt normal hormone or metabolic balance, or create inflammation that affects the heart’s electrical pathways. Over time, this added stress can change the size, shape, or function of the atria, making it easier for irregular electrical impulses to develop. Since genetics can also play a role, some individuals may inherit structural or electrical tendencies that make AFib more likely.
Not everyone with atrial fibrillation experiences noticeable symptoms, which is why some people are not aware they have the condition until it’s found during a routine exam. However, many people do experience symptoms that can range from mild to quite uncomfortable.
Common symptoms of AFib include heart palpitations, or the sensation that your heart is racing, fluttering, or beating irregularly. You might feel your heart pounding in your chest or feel like it is skipping beats. Other symptoms can include fatigue, weakness, dizziness, shortness of breath, or a reduced ability to exercise. Some people also experience chest pain or pressure.
Other symptoms can include:
The symptoms of AFib can come and go, and may last for a few minutes to several hours or longer. Some people have symptoms only once in a while and others experience them often. Even if your symptoms are mild or infrequent, it’s important to get checked out by a healthcare provider.
There are several tests that can confirm if you have atrial fibrillation. An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is the primary diagnostic test used to detect AFib. It records your heart’s electrical activity and can show the irregular pattern characteristic of AFib (if it’s happening during the test).
Because AFib can come and go, your doctor may have you wear a portable heart monitor for 24 hours or longer. The Holter monitor can record your heart rhythm over a longer period, which increases the chances of detecting irregular rhythms. Other tests, like an echocardiogram, may be used to look at your heart’s structure and function and determine if there is an underlying heart condition.
Blood tests can check for thyroid problems or other conditions that might contribute to AFib. Your doctor will also assess your overall cardiovascular health and evaluate your risk factors for stroke.
The primary goals of AFib treatment are to manage symptoms and protect you from the most serious complication of atrial fibrillation—stroke. Because AFib increases the likelihood of blood clots forming in the heart, stroke prevention becomes a central focus of every treatment plan. The specific approach your care team recommends will depend on how often you experience AFib episodes, the severity of your symptoms, and your overall cardiovascular health.
Medications play a major role in managing AFib and reducing stroke risk. Blood thinners, also called anticoagulants, are commonly prescribed to prevent clots from forming in the heart and traveling to the brain. While these medicines don’t correct the irregular rhythm itself, they significantly lower your risk of stroke. Your doctor will determine whether anticoagulation is appropriate for you based on your individual risk factors.
Other medications may be used to control your heart rate or rhythm. Rate-control drugs help slow the heart when it beats too quickly, while rhythm-control medications help maintain a steadier, more normal rhythm.
Some patients may benefit from procedures aimed at restoring or maintaining a healthier heart rhythm in addition to or instead of medication. Electrical cardioversion uses controlled electrical energy to reset the heart’s rhythm, while catheter ablation targets the areas of heart tissue that trigger or maintain AFib. In select cases, implantable devices may also be incorporated into a comprehensive treatment plan.
Although atrial fibrillation is not considered curable or fully reversible, it is a condition that can be successfully treated, managed, and lived with, often for many years and with a high quality of life. The key is recognizing that AFib is a chronic rhythm disorder, which means long-term management becomes part of your everyday health routine.
Living with AFib typically involves being more aware of how your heart responds to stress, exertion, and certain triggers. Some people may need to adjust their activity level, avoid overexertion, or pace themselves during exercise. Others may find that caffeine, alcohol, intense stress, or dehydration trigger symptoms and must be moderated. Many people live completely normal lives but do so with thoughtful planning, such as taking medications as prescribed, keeping regular cardiology appointments, and knowing when to seek help if symptoms change.
It's also important for individuals with AFib to understand their personal stroke risk and the role of blood thinners or other treatments in reducing that risk. Even when you feel perfectly fine, AFib can still be present in the background, which is why ongoing monitoring and preventive care are essential. With appropriate treatment, most people with AFib continue working, exercising, traveling, and enjoying daily activities safely and confidently.
While AFib itself is usually not an immediate emergency, certain symptoms require prompt medical attention.
Seek emergency care right away if you experience:
If you notice your AFib symptoms are becoming worse or occurring more frequently, contact your healthcare provider.
Accurate diagnosis and effective management of AFib are essential for protecting your long-term heart health, reducing stroke risk, and preventing complications that can develop quietly over time. Understanding your unique rhythm patterns, overall cardiovascular profile, and personal risk factors allows for more precise care and better outcomes. With the right plan in place, AFib becomes a condition you manage rather than one that controls your life.
At CardioVascular Health Clinic, our team provides lifelong support through advanced diagnostics, expert rhythm and vascular care, and proactive, whole-patient guidance tailored to your needs. We work with you at every stage, from monitoring changes and adjusting treatment to reinforcing the lifestyle and preventive steps that keep your heart functioning at its best. If you’re ready to take control of your AFib and protect your long-term cardiovascular health, schedule an appointment with CardioVascular Health Clinic today.
