Many elderly people experience palpitations, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. It may be that the symptoms are not obvious in the early stages, or the symptoms come and go over time that people take no notice of them. 

It turns out that these symptoms may be related to atrial fibrillation. Patients with hypertension, heart failure, diabetes mellitus and hyperthyroidism are also at high risk of atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation is the most common clinical arrhythmia and is more common in older patients. Some patients with atrial fibrillation may not show any symptoms, which can be considered an invisible killer. Some patients also experience palpitations, catarrh or dizziness, and in some cases, sudden onset of severe shortness of breath.

When atrial fibrillation occurs, it has two main effects on the heart: firstly, because the heart rate is irregular and slow, the blood output of the heart is reduced and the patient's blood pressure may drop. The patient may also experience palpitations, chest tightness, shortness of breath, shortness of breath, weakness in the limbs or dizziness. The patient may also faint when the heart rate suddenly becomes very slow (or stops for a period of time). 

Conversely, when the heart rate becomes rapid, the blood output of the heart is reduced, resulting in heart failure over time. Secondly, when atrial fibrillation occurs, the atria do not contract properly due to the rapid and abnormal discharge of electricity from the atrial tissues, and instead they fibrillate rapidly, causing the blood to fail to move efficiently and properly. When the blood clot flows out of the heart, it can easily cause embolism in organs, such as the brain, which can lead to serious complications and even death.

To treat arrhythmias, doctors will identify the underlying causes and prescribe the right medication. Some specified medications that can treat irregular heart rhythms. Some patients may need to be treated with catheter ablation, which is an interventional and radical treatment. Patients with a slow heartbeat and symptoms of dizziness or fainting may need to be considered for pacemaker implantation. Patients with a rapid heartbeat and at risk of sudden death may require an implantable cardiac defibrillator. In view of this, it is advisable to help your elderly family members to measure the regularity of their pulse rate. If the pulse rate is irregular, you should seek early treatment to prevent heart failure, stroke and the risk of death.

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