What is the first treatment for atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rhythm. A clinician checks how fast the heart is beating, how long symptoms have been present, blood pressure, other heart conditions, and factors that affect stroke or bleeding risk. An ECG can confirm the rhythm. Rate-control treatment can reduce a persistently fast heartbeat, while anticoagulation management may be recommended when the balance of stroke and bleeding risks supports it.

Take prescribed medicines consistently and do not stop an anticoagulant without medical advice. Record palpitations, breathlessness, dizziness, chest discomfort, possible triggers, and missed doses. Keep appointments so the treatment plan can be adjusted as symptoms, heart rate, kidney function, or bleeding risk changes. Ask how alcohol, stimulants, sleep problems, and other medicines may affect your rhythm.

Call emergency services for chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, new weakness or numbness on one side, facial drooping, trouble speaking, sudden confusion, or a severe new headache. These symptoms may indicate a heart complication or stroke. Seek urgent advice for a very fast or persistent heartbeat with dizziness, weakness, or worsening breathlessness.

Ask whether you need an ECG, which treatment is intended to control your rate or rhythm, how your stroke risk was assessed, and how anticoagulation management will be monitored.