- Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common abnormal heart rhythm in which the upper chambers beat irregularly.
- An irregular or fast pulse, palpitations, pounding or fluttering in the chest.
- Call 995 for palpitations with severe chest pain, fainting, severe breathlessness or stroke signs such as facial droop, arm weakness or speech difficulty.
Why this deserves attention
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common abnormal heart rhythm in which the upper chambers beat irregularly. Some people feel racing or fluttering; others have no obvious symptoms. The diagnosis matters because AF can raise stroke risk and may require treatment tailored to the individual.
The aim is not to self-diagnose from one symptom. Onset, progression, impact on basic function and the person’s age, pregnancy status and existing conditions all affect how quickly medical review is needed.
Patterns and practical observations
- An irregular or fast pulse, palpitations, pounding or fluttering in the chest.
- Breathlessness, reduced exercise tolerance, tiredness, dizziness or chest discomfort can accompany the rhythm change.
- Episodes can come and go, so note the start time, duration, pulse/heart-rate reading and what you were doing when symptoms began.
- A smartwatch or home device can flag an irregular rhythm, but a formal medical assessment—often including ECG—is needed to diagnose AF.
A short timeline is often more useful than a vague description: note when symptoms began, how fast they changed, triggers, associated symptoms and any objective readings you already have. Do not delay care just to wait for a more “textbook” pattern.
Medical assessment and next steps
- Medical care considers the rhythm, underlying triggers, heart structure and individual stroke/bleeding risk. Treatment may involve rate/rhythm control and, for selected people, anticoagulation.
- Do not self-start aspirin as a substitute for prescribed anticoagulation and do not stop anticoagulants because the pulse seems normal on a particular day.
- Bring device rhythm strips if available, but also bring the medication list and a clear symptom timeline.
Tests and treatment are individual. An online guide cannot replace examination, laboratory testing, imaging or specialist judgement; if you already have prescribed treatment, discuss changes with the treating team rather than adjusting it independently.
Where TCM may fit
TCM cannot diagnose an arrhythmia from pulse-taking alone. If AF is known and medically managed, complementary care should be coordinated carefully because herbs may alter bleeding risk or interact with cardiovascular medicines.
Tell both the TCM practitioner and medical team about every herb, supplement, prescription and over-the-counter medicine. “Natural” does not mean interaction-free, particularly in pregnancy, breastfeeding, liver/kidney disease, anticoagulation or polypharmacy.
When not to wait
- Call 995 for palpitations with severe chest pain, fainting, severe breathlessness or stroke signs such as facial droop, arm weakness or speech difficulty.
- A new sustained irregular heartbeat with dizziness or breathlessness should be assessed promptly.
In Singapore, call 995 for a life-threatening emergency. If symptoms are serious and you are unsure, prioritise appropriate conventional medical assessment rather than waiting for a complementary-care appointment.
Related reading
Singapore references
This page was checked in September 2026 against current Singapore public-health / healthcare information. These links are for further reading; individual screening intervals, diagnostic thresholds and treatment should still be decided by your own medical team.
This page provides general health education, not an individual diagnosis or emergency plan. Sudden, severe, persistent or rapidly worsening symptoms—especially the red flags above—require appropriate conventional medical assessment.