Atrial Fibrillation Symptom Perception.

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac arrhythmia, is associated with a significantly increased risk of ischemic stroke, heart failure, and death. AF is a heterogenous disease both in terms of the pathophysiologic mechanisms that lead to the disease, and in terms of symptom presentation. Although most patients with AF perceive symptoms, their symptom experience is highly variable. The purpose of this paper is to review the: 1) epidemiology and pathophysiology of AF, 2) symptoms associated with AF, and 3) implications for clinical practice based on disparate symptom perception.