Event Onset continued:

• Even when the rate is rapid, patients with paroxysmal AF may not sense the exact moment of onset as patients with SVT often do.
• But they do gradually become aware of palpitation when the rate is rapid.
• In the management of AF it is usually important to know: when it began and how long it has been present.
• Unfortunately, in a majority of patients, this may be difficult or impossible.
• Bed making is a relatively strenuous activity for a 76 year old woman. She might have converted to AF during the night and only noticed palpitation when her heart speeded up as she started making the bed.