Over-50s a heartbeat away from danger

Andrew was among a growing number of Australians diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. (Steven Markham/AAP PHOTOS)

With his father dying and his heart racing, Andrew thought his months-long physical response was a symptom of grief.

But when the 59-year-old business owner's symptoms worsened on the night of his father's funeral, he went to hospital, where doctors discovered his heart was beating at 149 beats per minute for eight hours.