What is a common clinical symptom associated with atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is characterized by a rapid and irregular heartbeat, which can lead to a noticeable awareness of one's heartbeat, often described as palpitations. Patients with atrial fibrillation may feel that their heart is racing or fluttering. This sensation can be unsettling and is one of the hallmark symptoms reported by individuals experiencing this arrhythmia.

While dizziness, chest pain, and syncope can also occur in patients with atrial fibrillation, they are not as specific or common as palpitations. Dizziness may occur due to reduced cardiac output but is not unique to atrial fibrillation. Chest pain can arise due to various reasons and does not directly correlate with the irregular rhythm. Syncope, or fainting, can occur in severe cases, particularly if the heart is not effectively pumping blood; however, it is less frequently reported than palpitations. Thus, palpitations are the most directly associated symptom with the altered heart rhythm in atrial fibrillation.