Electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, Holter monitoring and Cardiac Event Monitor are diagnostic procedures and devices that are commonly used to identify atrial fibrillation and its underlying causes.
Here are other tests and procedures that can be done to identify this most common arrhythmia:
· Screening – this procedure to identify atrial fibrillation involves routine pulse checks during a routine visit to your physician. Some studies showed that the annual rate of atrial fibrillation detection in older patients had improved from 1.04 percent to 1.63 percent by just undergoing a routine medical screening.
· Routine  medical visit – this is not a reliable way to identify atrial fibrillation probably because the pulse is not being checked regularly or carefully.
· Minimal evaluation – this procedure is generally done on all patients with atrial fibrillation. The goal of this procedure is to determine the best treatment option for you. Further studies may be requested by your physician if the results of the evaluation warrant it.
· History and physical examination – your history of atrial fibrillation episodes is important in this procedure. Your physician should be able to determine during the examination if you have an asymptomatic or chronic type of atrial arrhythmias.
· Routine blood test – because there is a big possibility that this atrial condition is a result of other various health problems, it is recommended that you undergo routine tests to check the balance of electrolytes in your body, renal function, blood count and thyroid-stimulating hormone. Cardiac troponins may be tested if the condition is associated with chest pain.
· Chest X-ray – this is only performed if a pulmonary or cardiac condition is the suspected cause of your rapid and irregular heart beat or shortness of breath. 
· Extended evaluation – this procedure is only performed if your physician noted some abnormalities in the results from your minimal evaluation, if there is a suggested change in the cause of atrial fibrillation or if further studies may change the course of treatment.
· Exercise stress test – this procedure will evaluate the response of your heart rate to physical stress and determine if your shortness of breath is due to excessive antrioventricular node blocking agents.
· Cox-Maze procedure – involves surgery for the treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation. Its goal is to restore the normal rhythm of your heart by disrupting the conduction of abnormal electrical impules through surgery. This invasive procedure is also designed to prevent strokes and blood clots and control heart fibrillation.