What is atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) and involves the two upper chambers (atria) of the heart. Its name comes from the characteristic fibrillating or quivering of the heart muscles of the atria, instead of a normal coordinated contraction.

How do members experience atrial fibrillation?

Top 5 symptoms reported by people with atrial fibrillation*

*Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.

Top treatments taken by people for atrial fibrillation*

*Data from patients with atrial fibrillation, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Compare treatments taken by people with atrial fibrillation*

Treatment
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment

(Eliquis)
Perceived effectiveness
for atrial fibrillation (9 evaluations)
Side effects
bruising
Total evaluations
9
Tried for
atrial fibrillation (22)
Treatment

(Metoprolol Tartrate)
Perceived effectiveness
for atrial fibrillation (2 evaluations)
Side effects
dizziness upon standing
Total evaluations
2
Tried for
atrial fibrillation (15)
Treatment

(Tambocor)
Perceived effectiveness
for atrial fibrillation (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
atrial fibrillation (5)
Treatment

(Cardizem)
Perceived effectiveness
for atrial fibrillation (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
atrial fibrillation (4)
Treatment

(Xarelto)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
atrial fibrillation (4)

*Data from patients with atrial fibrillation, who have ever reported treatments, ordered by their reporting frequency during the last 5 years.

Who has atrial fibrillation on PatientsLikeMe?

Age

Age Proportion # of patients
<20 1
20s 16
30s 61
40s 127
50s 277
60s 505
70+ 858

Distribution of sex

Sex

Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 769
Female 1,047