> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sonohealth.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): Symptoms, Risks, and Detection

> What atrial fibrillation is, its symptoms and stroke risk, and how a personal EKG can help capture an irregular rhythm to share with your doctor.

Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is the most common sustained heart-rhythm disorder. It can come and go, sometimes without symptoms, which makes it easy to miss — and important to catch, because it raises the risk of stroke.

<Warning>
  AFib requires medical diagnosis and management. A personal EKG can help document an irregular rhythm, but it cannot diagnose or treat AFib. Seek emergency care (call 911) for chest pain, fainting, or severe shortness of breath.
</Warning>

## What is atrial fibrillation?

In AFib, the heart's upper chambers (the atria) beat in a fast, chaotic, disorganized way instead of a steady rhythm. This can let blood pool and form clots, which is why AFib is associated with a higher risk of stroke and, over time, can contribute to heart failure if untreated.

## What are the symptoms?

AFib symptoms vary widely, and some people have none at all. When present, they may include:

* A fluttering, racing, or pounding heartbeat (palpitations)
* Fatigue or weakness
* Dizziness or lightheadedness
* Shortness of breath
* Chest discomfort

Because episodes can be brief and unpredictable, symptoms often don't appear during a scheduled appointment — which is where home recordings help.

## Why detection matters

Identifying AFib early lets your doctor assess your stroke risk and consider treatment, which may include medication or other therapies. Untreated AFib carries a meaningfully higher stroke risk, so flagging it is worthwhile even when symptoms feel minor.

## How a personal EKG helps

Some single-lead home EKGs flag rhythms that **may** suggest AFib and let you record a trace during symptoms. That recording is a screening prompt and a useful artifact to bring to your doctor — not a diagnosis. Confirming AFib generally requires a clinician's interpretation, often with a [12-lead EKG](/ekg/overview). Capturing an episode on the SonoHealth [EKGraph](/ekg/overview) and sharing it can make an intermittent problem much easier to evaluate.

## When to seek care

Make a non-urgent appointment if you notice recurring palpitations or an irregular pulse, or if your device flags a possible irregular rhythm. Call 911 for chest pain, fainting, or severe breathlessness.

***

**Related:** [Home EKG Monitoring](/ekg/overview) · [Heart Palpitations](/ekg/heart-palpitations) · [Normal Heart Rate and Rhythm](/ekg/normal-heart-rate-rhythm) · [Blood Pressure Monitoring](/blood-pressure/overview)