Arrhythmia & AFib
Palpitations and irregular heartbeat – Identifying potentially dangerous arrhythmias.
Palpitations: When should you be concerned?
Occasionally, a feeling of a sudden "skip" or missed beat (premature contraction) is common in healthy individuals and is usually harmless.
- When to seek medical attention: If accompanied by dizziness or fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath, or if it lasts for several minutes and is very fast and irregular.
- The key to diagnosis is an electrocardiogram (ECG) taken "at the moment" when symptoms occur. A 24-hour Holter monitor, and recently, ECG recordings from smartwatches, can also be helpful in diagnosis (Cardiology).
Source: 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 · as of 2026-08-13
Atrial fibrillation - A heart rhythm disorder that can cause stroke.
Atrial fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia characterized by an irregular heartbeat, and it becomes more common with age. The problem is that blood clots can form in the heart, which significantly increases the risk of stroke.
- The key to treatment is determining whether or not to prescribe anticoagulants to prevent stroke (based on age and other medical conditions).
- Medications to control heart rate, as well as procedures to restore normal rhythm (such as catheter ablation), are also commonly performed.
- If you have started taking anticoagulants, it is extremely important not to stop them without consulting your doctor. Alcohol, caffeine, and dehydration can often trigger episodes.
Source: 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 · as of 2026-08-13
Frequently asked questions
The smartwatch alerted me that it suspected atrial fibrillation.
The notifications from your watch are simply a screening tool and not a diagnosis. Do not ignore them, but rather keep a record of them and have them checked with an electrocardiogram by a cardiologist. There are many cases where early detection actually leads to positive outcomes.
Should I quit coffee?
The evidence that moderate caffeine intake (1-2 cups per day) worsens arrhythmias is weak. However, if you experience clear symptoms when consuming it, reducing your intake would be reasonable. Alcohol is a well-established trigger for atrial fibrillation.
Sources for this page
· 질병관리청 국가건강정보포털 (as of 2026-08-13)Last checked: 2026년 8월 13일
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