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Stephen R. Shorofsky, M.D., Ph.D.

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Atrial fibrillation/flutter

Alternative Names:

Auricular fibrillation; A-fib

Symptoms:

Note: Symptoms may begin or stop suddenly.

Signs and tests:

Listening to the heart with a stethoscope shows fast heart beat. The pulse may feel rapid, irregular, or both. The normal heart rate is 60 to 100, but in atrial fibrillation/flutter the heart rate may be 100 to 175. Blood pressure may be normal or low.

An ECG shows atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. Continuous ambulatory cardiac monitoring -- Holter monitor (24 hour test) -- may be necessary because the condition is often sporadic (occurring at some times but not others).

Tests to determine the presence of underlying heart diseases may include:

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