Is there a difference between a-fib and arrtyhmia? which does an ekg rule out? which would you need long term testing for like a holter?

Atrial fibrillation is a type of cardiac arrhythmia, and intermittent episodes can result in embolisms and strokes. A Holter monitor may be needed to rule in or rule out episodic abnormal heart rhythms.

Arrhythmias designate all abnormal heart rhythms, while a fib is specific type of arrhythmia. An EKG cannot rule them out if they are transient and not caught at the time of the test. A Holter test is sometimes able to connect symptoms perceived with heart arrhythmias.