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	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

Atrial fibrillation (also called AF or A Fib) is the most common form of sustained arrhythmia (heart rhythm disorder). Atrial fibrillation is more common in older people, people with high blood pressure, and people with other kinds of heart disease. It can lead to serious health problems such as stroke, fatigue, and heart failure. The December 19, 2007, issue of JAMA includes an article about treatments for heart arrhythmias. This Patient Page is based on one previously published in the August 27, 2003, issue of JAMA.

WHAT IS ATRIAL FIBRILLATION?

Atrial fibrillation occurs when the electrical impulses that cause the heart to beat in a regular rhythmic manner become disorganized, causing the heart to beat irregularly and often too fast with too little force. The irregular pulse can be felt and can be seen on an electrocardiogram. An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a recording of the electrical activity of . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Sharon Parmet, MS, Writer; Cassio Lynm, MA, Illustrator; Richard M. Glass, MD, Editor

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