The patient with new onset of atrial fibrillation should be anticoagulated for at least 48 hours to prevent clots that may form in the atria from becoming dislodged and causing an ischemic brain attack. The SA node is not beating too fast during Afib; it is not controlling atrial contraction at all, resulting in desynchronized electrical activity in the atria. Afib decreases atrial kick and can reduce cardiac output by 30%. New Afib may be treated and will “probably” not result in chronic Afib.