Other conditions with symptoms similar to atrial fibrillation
Pinpointing the exact cause of your lightheadedness, palpitations, and chest pain can be extremely difficult. For example, after a rigorous workout, you may feel these exact sensations yet have no arrhythmia of any kind. Your doctor may ask you the following questions:
- How severe are your palpitations?
- Did the palpitations have a consistent pattern?
- Did you feel like fainting?
- Did you have chest pain?
- Did you have general discomfort?
Although answers to these questions will not provide your doctor with enough information to reach a complete diagnosis, they do allow your doctor to consider several illnesses more specifically. The table below provides information on which conditions cause symptoms similar to atrial fibrillation and how they cause symptoms.
Other conditions with similar symptoms Symptom
Other condition
How it causes the symptom
Tests used to diagnose
Palpitations
Anxiety disorder: Extreme nervousness or anxiety for no apparent reason
Other fast heart rhythms, such as supraventricular or ventricular tachycardias
Stress triggers the release of the hormone adrenaline, causing a rise in heart rate.
- EKG, ECG
- Holter monitor
Chest pain (angina)
Coronary artery disease: A hard, waxy substance (plaque) that develops in the coronary arteries, reducing the supply of oxygenated blood to the heart muscle
Because the passage through which the blood flows is narrower, oxygen is prevented from reaching the heart muscle. This causes pain or pressure in the chest (angina).
- Stress test
- Coronary angiography
Fatigue
Poor physical conditioning: Being out of shape
Performing physical activity that you are unaccustomed to can cause general fatigue.
- Blood test
- Stress test
Other conditions:
- Anemia
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Hormonal changes
- Low blood sugar
Lightheadedness
Dehydration
Blood loss
Decreased blood flow to the brain
- Blood test
- Comparing blood pressures standing and lying down
Passing out (syncope)
Ventricular tachycardia or another arrhythmia
Seizure
Decreased amount of blood reaches the brain.
- EKG, ECG
- EEG
| Author: | Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: January 18, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Laurence Epstein, MD - Cardiac Electrophysiologist | |
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