“How does an ECG diagnose atrial fibrillation?”
My aunt has to have an ECG because her doctor thinks that she's experiencing warning signs of AFib. How does an ECG usually diagnose it?
3 Answers
Atrial premature complexes (irregular heart beats from the atrium) are usually precursor to atrial fibrillation, so having so many of them is alarming. As a matter of fact studies have shown APCs >70/hour are considered as risky as atrial fibrillation and should be managed accordingly with anticoagulant to prevent stroke.
If her pulse is irregular she needs an ECG to see why. The most common cause is atrial fibrillation, which can be seen on the ECG trace
You need an ECG for accurate diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. It is an irregularly irregular rhythm with absence of what’s called “P-wave” on an ECG.
