Recognizing the signs of an abnormal heartbeat
September 25, 2026
By: Saint Agnes Medical Center
Categories: Heart Health, Heart & Vascular, Cardiac
It’s common to notice your heart beating quickly after exercising, cheering on your favorite sports team or watching an intense movie. But when does a fast heartbeat become cause for concern?
Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is one of the most commonly treated heart arrhythmias. With more than 450,000 people in the United States hospitalized with AFib each year, it’s important to understand the signs and symptoms and what you can do to reduce your risks.
What is AFib?
AFib is an irregular heartbeat often described by patients as a feeling of racing, quivering or flip-flopping. This happens when the upper chambers of the heart pump in an abnormal rhythm causing blood to pool.
“It’s important to diagnose and treat AFib because it increases the risk of blood clots which can lead to stroke, pulmonary embolism and even heart failure,” says Saint Agnes Care Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Kashif Malik.
“Through diagnosis, physicians are able to determine the underlying causes of AFib and develop a targeted treatment plan for each patient’s unique circumstances.”
Common risks
The risk of developing AFib increases with age, but there are several contributing factors, including:
- Age 65 and up
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Heart failure and heart disease
- Enlarged left chamber of the heart
- Hyperthyroidism
- Chronic kidney disease
- Consumption of alcohol
- Smoking
- European ancestry
Symptoms
Many patients living with AFib either don’t have symptoms or don’t notice them. Some describe it as feeling as if their heart is beating too fast or skipping a beat. Those who do report having symptoms may experience:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness
- Reduced ability to exercise
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
- Palpitations – Feelings of a fast, fluttering or pounding heartbeat
Treatment
Depending on your unique symptoms and anatomy, your doctor may prescribe medication like beta-blockers to slow your heart rate or blood thinners to reduce the risk of stroke. If medication doesn’t help or isn’t an option, your physician may also suggest a minimally invasive procedure like endovascular ablation.
Endovascular ablation is a noninvasive procedure that uses a thin flexible tube inserted through your artery and guided to the heart. Once it reaches the damaged area, the doctor preforming the procedure will either cauterize or freeze the blood vessels, veins or tissues causing AFib to occur.
“Saint Agnes Care takes a multidisciplinary approach to treating AFib. Our cardiothoracic and cardiology teams work closely together to develop a comprehensive treatment plan for each patient. This can include anything from medical therapies to surgical procedures,” says Dr. Malik.
Protect your heart
Patients living with AFib are at a greater risk of suffering a stroke, experiencing heart failure, dementia or blood clots compared to those with a regular heart rhythm. That’s why it’s important to speak to a doctor right away if you have concerns about your heart health.
“There are also daily lifestyle changes patients can make to improve their overall heart health and reduce the risk of developing AFib or other heart conditions,” Dr. Malik says. “I encourage my patients to start with a balanced diet and regular exercise. These foundations are extremely important to protecting your heart and living and long, healthy life.”
Explore your AFib treatment options
Understanding treatment options is an important step in caring for your heart. Explore procedures available at Saint Agnes to help manage your heart’s rhythm.
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