AFib
Medical abbreviation · Cardiology
| Stands for | Atrial fibrillation |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
AFib stands for Atrial fibrillation, a cardiology abbreviation.
Irregular, often rapid heartbeat arising in the atria, with symptoms ranging from none at all to palpitations, breathlessness, dizziness and fatigue. Treatment combines stroke prevention with blood thinners, control of heart rate or rhythm, and management of risk factors such as obesity, alcohol, high blood pressure and sleep apnea.
Example: My cardiologist says my AFib episodes are getting longer, so we're talking about an ablation.
Usage notes
Written AFib or A-fib in consumer health writing and pronounced "AY-fib." Atrial flutter, a more organized atrial rhythm, is a different arrhythmia abbreviated AFL. Smartwatch irregular-rhythm alerts, first cleared by the FDA in 2018, have increased detection of silent cases. Many people live with AFib for decades; the main danger is stroke, which is why the CHA2DS2-VASc score is calculated at diagnosis.
Related abbreviations
More cardiology abbreviations
- ACC – American College of Cardiology
- ACHD – Adult congenital heart disease
- ACS – Acute coronary syndrome
- ADHF – Acute decompensated heart failure
- AED – Automated external defibrillator
- AF – Atrial fibrillation
- AFL – Atrial flutter
- AHA – American Heart Association
- AI – Aortic insufficiency
- AICD – Automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
- AMI – Acute myocardial infarction
- AR – Aortic regurgitation
See all 229 cardiology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.