Atrial fibrillation clinical guidelines and resources

Atrial fibrillation resources for health professionals, including clinical guidelines and tools and information for patients.

Online professional development for primary care

Common heart rhythm problems

This course is 60 minutes of online professional development for nurses and other health professionals working in primary care. It provides a basic understanding of some common arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation. It outlines the risk factors, symptoms, treatment and management of these conditions.

Heart rhythm problems online learning course

Clinical guidelines and tools

2018 CSANZ atrial fibrillation guideline

The 2018 guidelines for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation were developed by the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ) and the National Heart Foundation of Australia.
The guidelines are endorsed by:

The Stroke Foundation
Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC)
Australian and New Zealand Society of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgeons (ANZSCTS)
The Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM)
The Council of Remote Area Nurses of Australia (CRANA)
Australian College of Nursing (ACN)
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)

Download the guidelines

2020 European Society of Cardiology AF guidelines

2020 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with the European Association of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS): The Task Force for the diagnosis and management of atrial fibrillation of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Developed with the special contribution of the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) of the ESC.

Download the guidelines

Reference your regional health pathways for clinical management guidance of AF

BPAC - An update on managing patients with atrial fibrillation

BPAC - Management of atrial fibrillation in general practice

Resources for patients

Booklet on Staying well with atrial fibrillation

The Heart Foundation has developed a 30-page booklet for people living with atrial fibrillation and their whānau. It is available as a PDF or in hard copy.

Download the PDF

Order a copy from our website

Website information

There is a dedicated atrial fibrillation section on our website for people living with AF and their families. It includes information on diagnosis and treatment, the emotional impact of AF, and living well with the condition.

Staying well with atrial fibrillation

We also have a page explaining heart rate and pulse checks, and a video on how to take a pulse.