Expert cardiologists Dr. Anne Curtis and Dr. Hiroko Beck explain the ways that atrial fibrillation is diagnosed, including physical examination, assessment of signs and symptoms, and results from an electrocardiogram test (also called ECG or EKG) that detects atrial fibrillation at the time it is happening. For patients who have intermittent or infrequent atrial fibrillation, a 24 hour Holter monitor or a longer term event recorder may be used to monitor heart rhythm and detect atrial fibrillation.

In this video, cardiologists Dr. Anne Curtis and Dr. Hiroko Beck describe how stroke is diagnosed through physical examination, assessment of signs and symptoms, and test results from imaging studies of the brain via CAT scan or MRI. Stroke is a medical emergency. If you or someone with you experiences any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately.