Patients & Family

Your Doctor

Diagnosis

The medical team

To diagnose your AFib, a medical team with a range of different specialities will be involved.

Most probably, your General Practitioner (GP) will be the first person you go to with your symptoms. If your GP thinks that your symptoms are related to an arrhythmia, she/he will refer you to a cardiologist

The cardiologist is a doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disorders. You may continue to see a cardiologist, or you also may see other doctors who also specialise in the treatment of AFib. You may also see an electrophysiologist who is a cardiologist who specialises in the electrical system of the heart

Diagnostic tests

Because of the sometimes unpredictable and intermittent nature of arrhythmias, diagnosing AFib can sometimes be difficult. After establishing a thorough medical history and completing a physical examination, patients are often asked to complete a number of tests that help determine the severity of the condition and its potential risk factors, such as stroke. These tests may include:

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

An ECG is a simple test developed to record the electrical activity of the heart. Electrodes are placed on the arms and chest and connected to a machine that records the electrical activity. An ECG may be performed during rest or exercise, and you may be asked to hold your breath for short periods of time during the procedure.

Holter monitor

If an arrhythmia is not detected at a doctor’s office, it may occur during normal, daily activities. A Holter monitor is a small, portable device used to record the heart’s electrical activity for a longer period of time – 24 to 48 hours. Like an ECG, electrodes are placed on the chest. The patient carries the monitor in a small pouch around the neck or waist.

Tilt-table test

If a patient experiences symptoms such as light-headedness or fainting, a tilt-table test is performed to determine the cause of the symptoms. In the test, the patient lies horizontally on a table. Blood pressure, heart rate and heart rhythm are monitored as the patient is moved from a horizontal to an upright position. The tilt-table test may aggravate or produce symptoms such as fainting, dizziness, nausea, sweating or weakness. These reactions are purposely induced and are normal reactions to the test.

Blood tests

Blood tests are often conducted to rule out other conditions that may cause AFib, for example, thyroid disease and other chemical abnormalities in the blood that may trigger AFib episodes.