Do you know the warning signs of AFib?

That fluttering feeling in your chest could be more than just a passing blip.

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is an irregular beating of the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) and occurs with increasing frequency as people age. The American Heart Association estimates that there are more than 2.5 million cases of AFib in the United States, many of them unrecognized.

While AFib is usually not life threatening, it is a medical condition that can be serious if untreated. AFib often requires medication to minimize the chance that complications occur.

AFib can lead to poor blood flow in the body, weakened heart muscle, and sometimes causes blood clots to develop that could lead to stroke. The signs of symptoms of AFib can differ widely from patient to patient.

Jose Nazari, MD, a cardiologist at Endeavor Health, says there are some telltale signs of AFib everyone should know:

• Heart palpitations: this feels like your heart is fluttering or racing, or a flip-flopping sensation in your chest
• Awareness of your heart beating, especially in an irregular or rapid fashion
• Chest pain, pressure or discomfort at rest or with exertion
• New fatigue or weakness
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• New shortness of breath

Here’s where it gets tricky. While it’s important to know what AFib can feel like, some people with AFib don’t have any symptoms.

“It’s important to get an annual physical to monitor any changes in your health over the years,” Dr. Nazari said. “Sometimes AFib is discovered through an annual physical exam or another diagnostic test.”

Atrial fibrillation is more common in adults and the risk of arrhythmia increases for adults over the age of 65. While age and family history can affect your personal risk for AFib, lifestyle choices can also increase or lessen your risk.

Treatment for AFib can include lifestyle changes, medicine and even surgery. Including heart-healthy lifestyle choices, like staying physically active, managing stress, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking, can help keep your heart strong.

There are three different types of atrial fibrillation varying in severity:

• Intermittent AFib is when the symptoms come and go but stop on their own. The symptoms may last for a few minutes or a few hours.
• Persistent AFib is when your heart rate does not go back to normal on its own and requires treatment from your doctor to go back to normal.
• Permanent AFib will often require medications, such as blood thinners, to help control your heart rate and avoid blood clots.

Ask your primary care doctor about your risk and tell them if you experience any symptoms of AFib.