Only some of these impulses pass through to the ventricles and they do so in a very random and haphazard way. Therefore, the ventricles contract anywhere between 50 and 180 times a minute but usually between 140 and 180 times a minute. The ventricles contract not only in an irregular way but also with varying force.įor more information, see the separate leaflet called Abnormal Heart Rhythms (Arrhythmias). Many people with AF have no symptoms, particularly if their heart rate is not very fast. The AF may then be diagnosed by chance when a doctor or nurse feels your pulse. Your pulse rate may be fast, the rhythm is irregular and the force of each beat can vary.Īny symptoms usually start suddenly, soon after the AF develops. This means that you become aware of your heart.

You may feel it beating in a fast and irregular way. Breathlessness is often the first symptom that develops.The pains tend to occur when you exert yourself but they may also occur even when you are resting. Each episode comes on suddenly but will also stop suddenly without treatment within seven days (usually within two days).Paroxysmal AF means that you have episodes of AF that come and go.It may occur all the time but you may become breathless just when you exert yourself, such as when you walk up stairs. Although paroxysmal AF means that it will stop on its own, some people with paroxysmal AF take treatment to stop it as quickly as possible after it starts.The period of time between each episode (each paroxysm) can vary greatly from case to case.The heartbeat then goes back to a normal rate and rhythm.

Paf reading acronym