If your healthcare provider suspects you may have atrial fibrillation, they will ask you about your family and personal medical history, risk factors and symptoms and perform a physical exam. During the exam, your healthcare provider will check the rate and rhythm of your heartbeat, listen to your lungs, and take your blood pressure. They will likely look for signs of other related health conditions.
Based on your medical history and exam, your provider will order one or more additional tests.
Blood tests are usually done to identify any issues that may contribute to atrial fibrillation.
This type of test records activity of the heart using high-frequency sound waves, or ultrasound. A technologist called a sonographer conducts this test by applying gel to your chest that makes it easier for soundwaves to reach your heart. The sonographer will then wave a device called a transducer across your chest to send soundwaves to your heart. The echo created by those waves is translated into images of your heart as it beats.
Providing information about your heart’s electrical activity, an electrocardiogram can help your provider understand your heart rate and whether you have an arrhythmia. Alternatively, your provider might ask you to wear a monitor for one to two weeks to record how well your heart’s circuitry is working.
A patch monitor is a battery-operated ECG that sticks to your chest. While wearing the patch monitor, you can do nearly all your usual activities, even showering. The test usually lasts for one to two weeks.
