Heart palpitations, sensations like a fluttering, skipping, or pounding heart, can be unsettling. They often raise concerns about serious conditions, especially atrial fibrillation (Afib). This article clarifies the differences between general heart palpitations and Afib, helping to understand when these sensations might indicate a more significant underlying issue.
Understanding Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations are feelings of a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart. These sensations can manifest as a racing heart, rapid fluttering, strong pounding, or skipped or extra beats. They may be felt in the chest, throat, or neck, and can occur during activity or at rest. While alarming, they are often harmless and temporary.
Numerous factors unrelated to heart disease can trigger palpitations, including:
Strong emotional responses, such as stress, anxiety, or panic attacks.
Lifestyle choices like strenuous exercise, excessive caffeine intake, nicotine use, or alcohol consumption.
Dehydration or fever.
Certain medications, including some cold and cough remedies or asthma inhalers.
Hormonal changes associated with menstruation, pregnancy, or menopause.
Understanding Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation, or Afib, is a specific type of irregular and rapid heart rhythm. In a healthy heart, electrical signals originate from a single point in the right atrium, the sinus node, and travel in a coordinated manner to the rest of the heart chambers, ensuring efficient pumping. With Afib, electrical signals in the heart’s upper chambers, the atria, fire chaotically from multiple locations. This disorganized electrical activity causes the atria to quiver or fibrillate instead of contracting effectively.
This chaotic atrial activity leads to an irregular and rapid ventricular response, as the lower chambers struggle to keep pace with the disorganized signals. Blood can then pool in the atria because it is not being pumped efficiently into the ventricles. If left untreated, Afib can increase the risk of serious complications, including blood clot formation, which can lead to stroke, and may also contribute to heart failure.
Distinguishing Between Palpitations and Afib
Heart palpitations and atrial fibrillation are distinct concepts. A heart palpitation is a subjective sensation of an altered heartbeat, while Afib is a diagnosed medical condition involving a specific irregular heart rhythm. While palpitations can be a symptom of Afib, many are not caused by this condition. Various types of irregular heartbeats can result in the sensation of palpitations.
A key difference lies in the regularity of the heart’s rhythm. Palpitations caused by benign factors might involve brief skips or thumps, followed by a return to a regular heart rhythm. In contrast, Afib is characterized by a persistently irregular and rapid rhythm, where the upper chambers beat chaotically. The underlying cause also differs; benign palpitations stem from lifestyle factors or temporary physiological responses, whereas Afib is a structural or electrical abnormality within the heart’s conduction system.
While some individuals with Afib may only notice palpitations, others experience additional symptoms that help distinguish it from benign palpitations, such as shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, or chest discomfort. The heart rate in Afib can be very fast, ranging from 100 to 175 beats per minute or more, and the pulse may feel erratic.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While many heart palpitations are harmless, it is important to know when to consult a healthcare professional. Medical evaluation is advisable if palpitations are frequent, prolonged, or worsening over time. Seek prompt medical attention if palpitations occur alongside other concerning symptoms, including:
Chest pain or pressure
Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Lightheadedness
Fainting
Weakness
Significant fatigue
Sweating
Nausea
Only a medical professional can accurately diagnose the underlying cause of palpitations and determine if they are indicative of Afib or another serious condition.