Atrial Fibrillation Specialist in Dorset

Atrial fibrillation matters for two reasons. First, the irregular rhythm allows blood to pool in the heart, which raises the risk of clots and stroke — a risk that can be reduced substantially when it is identified and managed. Second, a persistently fast or irregular heartbeat can leave you tired, breathless or aware of your heart, and over time can weaken the heart muscle if left unchecked.

A specialist assessment is worthwhile if you have been told your pulse is irregular, if a smartwatch or blood-pressure monitor has flagged a possible irregular rhythm, if you have episodes of palpitations, or if AF has already been diagnosed and you want a clear long-term plan. It is equally relevant for people whose AF comes and goes (paroxysmal) and those in whom it is more persistent.

Your appointment begins with a careful history and examination, followed by an ECG to capture the rhythm. Because AF often comes and goes, a period of ambulatory monitoring — wearing a small recorder for 24 hours or longer — is frequently arranged to catch episodes that a single ECG would miss. An echocardiogram is usually performed to look at the heart's structure and valves, as this influences treatment.

Your individual stroke risk is then assessed using established clinical scoring, weighed against bleeding risk, so that any decision about blood-thinning medication is shared and well-informed. Alongside this, the focus turns to either controlling the heart rate or restoring a normal rhythm, depending on your symptoms, your preferences and the pattern of your AF.

You will leave understanding what your AF means, what the plan is, and what to do if symptoms change — with clear arrangements for follow-up and, where appropriate, onward referral for procedures such as cardioversion or ablation.

Atrial fibrillation assessment and the tests that support it — ECG, ambulatory monitoring and echocardiography — are available at Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital, The Harbour Hospital in Poole, and the Dorset Heart Clinic. This pan-Dorset coverage means you can usually be seen and investigated close to home.