Since AFib involves the heart, it is natural to suspect a heart attack when chest pain or palpitations occur, but sometimes the sensation in your chest is the consequence of another, unrelated event. In either case, a sudden AFib attack should be promptly addressed with a call or visit to your doctor. It can be more pronounced simply because you are not used to feeling them, or else they may indicate a more serious event. Patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AFib symptoms that come and go) tend to notice more unpleasant or painful chest symptoms more frequently, such as severe dizziness, palpitations, blackouts and chest pains. Angina isn’t a heart attack, but it can be difficult to distinguish between angina and other chest pain. Heart palpitations and a racing heartbeat that goes on for too long can result in some chest pain (known as angina) due to the reduced blood flow to the heart. In many cases, chest pain is the consequence of typical AFib sensations that are not life-threatening. When it comes to chest discomfort, the most common complaints are:

Generally, most symptoms can be controlled with medication, but sometimes worrying symptoms can hit out of the blue. Many people with atrial fibrillation don’t have any symptoms at all, and others get frequent, mild discomforts.

Mild upper chest discomfort