What is Atrial Fibrillation (AF)?
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate. A normal heart rate should be regular and between 60 and 100 beats a minute when you're resting.
You can measure your heart rate by checking your pulse in your wrist or neck, click this link to visit the NHS website and learn how to check your own pulse.
For full details of symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and complications please click this link to visit the NHS website - Atrial fibrillation.
Information and resources for patients
The list of resurces below is not conclusive but does provide some useful information for patients that can be viewed online and/or printed.
NHS
- NHS Health A to Z: Atrial Fibrillation
- NHSE Decision support tool: making a decision about further treatment for atrial fibrillation
British Health Foundation
- British Heart Founadation: Atrial Fibrillation
- British Heart Foundation: How to check your pulse
- British Heart Foundation: Medicines for my heart booklet
- British Heart Foundation: Dealing with abnormal heart rhythms booklet
- British Heart Foundation: Understanding physcial activity
- British Heart Foundation: Understanding your weight
- British Heart Foundation: Understanding blood pressure
- British Heart Foundation: Understanding tests for heart and circulatory conditions
- British Heart Foundation: Speak with a cardiac nurse
Stroke Association
- Stroke Association: Information and Resources
- Stroke Association: Managing risk: High blood pressure
- Stroke Association: Reducing my stroke risk
- Stroke Association: Atrial Fibrillation: Reducing your risk of Stroke patient leaflet
- Stroke Association: Blood thinning medication and stroke
Arrhythmia Alliance (A-A)
- Arrhythmia Alliance (A-A) Know your pulse training video
- Arrhythmia Alliance (A-A): Atrial Fibrillation information and videos