Why is my heart racing and fluttering at 66?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 66 and recently had an episode where my heart started racing and fluttering, even though I was just sitting and watching TV. It lasted a few minutes and left me feeling lightheaded and tired. My doctor mentioned it could be atrial fibrillation, and that has me worried.

What usually causes this kind of irregular heartbeat, and how serious can it be?
Will I need to take blood thinners long-term to prevent a stroke?
Also, is atrial fibrillation something that can actually be cured, or is it more about managing it over time?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have read your query and can understand your concern.

The symptoms you described, a sudden racing or fluttering heartbeat with lightheadedness, can happen for several reasons. Atrial fibrillation is one possibility, but there are also other, more common rhythm issues, such as sinus tachycardia (a fast heart rhythm, over 100 bpm in adults, originating from the heart's natural pacemaker, the sinoatrial node), premature beats such as PVCs (premature ventricular contractions, extra, irregular heartbeats that originate in the heart's lower chambers) or PACs (premature atrial contraction, an early heartbeat originating from the heart's upper chambers (atria) that disrupts the normal rhythm), or supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). The good news is that most of these conditions are manageable and not immediately dangerous.

To understand what exactly caused your episode, a proper evaluation is important. Your doctor may recommend basic blood tests, an ECG (electrocardiogram), an echocardiogram, and a Holter monitor to track your heart rhythm over 24 to 48 hours. Thyroid function tests are often included because thyroid imbalances can trigger irregular heartbeats. These results help identify the exact cause and guide the right treatment.

If it does turn out to be atrial fibrillation, the next step is assessing your stroke risk. Blood thinners are only advised if your individual risk is high and your bleeding risk is low. This decision is made using well-established medical scoring tools, so you are not placed on long-term medication unless you truly need it.

Atrial fibrillation is very treatable. Many people do well with medications that control the heart’s rate or rhythm, and some may benefit from procedures like catheter ablation. With the right plan, symptoms can be controlled and, in many cases, significantly improved.

I hope this answers your query.

Please let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.