What Is Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial Fibrillation is the most common type of arrhythmia, in which a heart condition causes an irregular heartbeat. Atrial fibrillation may come and go or may not go away. This can lead to complications such as stroke, heart attack, or heart failure.
How Common Is Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia. This disease can occur in both men and women and the risk increases with age. This disease is more common in people over 50 years of age.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation (AF) usually causes the heart's lower chambers, the ventricles, to pump faster than normal.
When atrial fibrillation occurs, the ventricles can't fill with blood completely, so the heart can't pump enough blood to the lungs and body. This condition can cause the following signs and symptoms:
- Palpitations (feeling like the heart stops beating, palpitations, or beats too hard or fast)
- Congested
- Weakness or sports problems
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or fainting
- Weakness (feeling tired)
- Confused
There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.
When Should I See A Doctor?
You should contact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Symptoms and signs of atrial fibrillation that persist or worsen
- Chest pain
- If you suspect you have had a stroke
If you have the above signs or symptoms or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.
What Causes Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation is caused by interference with the heart's electrical signals. Your heart is made up of 4 chambers: the two upper heart chambers (atria) and 2 lower heart chambers (ventricles). Normally, the electrical signal starts from the pacemaker, which is called the sinus node. This pacemaker is located in the upper right heart chamber (right atrium). It is the electrical signal that creates the heartbeat. As the signal travels through the upper part of the heart, the atria contract and send blood to the lower part of the heart. Then this electrical signal will travel down to the bottom of the heart causing the ventricles to contract and circulate blood throughout the body.
In atrial fibrillation, the signal is impaired and the heart cannot pump blood properly. This causes the heart rate to increase, to 100-175 beats per minute. Whereas your normal heart rate is 60-100 beats per minute.
Damage or changes to the structure of the heart can cause atrial fibrillation. Other causes are:
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack
- Coronary heart disease
- Heart valve disease
What Increases My Risk For Atrial Fibrillation?
There are many risk factors for atrial fibrillation, including:
Age. As you age, your risk increases
Heart disease. People with heart disease, such as valvular heart disease, congenital heart disease, congenital heart failure, coronary heart disease, or a history of heart attack or heart surgery, have an increased risk of atrial fibrillation
High blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, especially if it is not controlled with lifestyle changes or medications, this can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation
Other chronic conditions. People with certain chronic conditions such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or lung disease are at increased risk of atrial fibrillation.
What Are My Treatment Options For Atrial Fibrillation?
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
Improve normal heart rhythm. Also called rhythm control. Rhythm control makes the atrial and ventricular work together to pump blood efficiently throughout the body. Your doctor can give you anti-arrhythmic drugs. Such drugs include sotalol, amiodarone, and flecainide.
Treating other diseases that cause or increase the risk of atrial fibrillation. This disease is like hyperthyroidism
What Are The Usual Tests For Atrial Fibrillation?
Doctors can see certain patterns on an electrocardiogram (ECG), which describes the electrical activity of the heart.
Doctors can check atrial movement with an echocardiogram (using ultrasound to examine the heart and take moving pictures on video). If your atrial fibrillation is intermittent, your doctor will recommend using a portable heart recorder.
What Are Some Lifestyle Changes Or Home Remedies That Can Be Done To Treat Atrial Fibrillation?
Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with atrial fibrillation:
- Heart nutrition – healthy diet (low fat and cholesterol)
- Maintain ideal body weight
- Reduce stress
- Exercise as much as you can if you take the medicine properly and the symptoms don't come back
- Take your medication as directed. Check the drug levels in the blood
If you have any questions, consult a doctor for the best solution for your problem.