Atrial fibrillation, also called AFib or AF, is the most common type of irregular heartbeat.The abnormal firing of electrical impulses causes the atria (the top chambers in the heart) to quiver (or fibrillate).
Symptoms:
Sometimes people with AFib have no symptoms and their condition is only detectable upon physical examination. Others may experience one or more of these symptoms:
• General fatigue
• A rapid and irregular heartbeat
• Fluttering or “thumping” in the chest
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath and anxiety
• Weakness
• Faintness or confusion
• Fatigue when exercising
• Sweating
• Chest painor pressure
To be safe call 911
There are different types of AFib. The symptoms are generally the same, although the duration of the AFib and underlying reasons for it can help medical practitioners classify the type of AFib problems.
Paroxysmal fibrillation is when the heart returns to a normal rhythm on its own, or with intervention, within seven days of abnormality. People who have this type of AFib may have episodes only a few times a year or their symptoms may occur every day. These symptoms are very unpredictable and can often turn into a permanent form of AFib.
• Persistent AFibis an irregular rhythm that lasts for longer than seven days. This type of AFib will not return to a normal sinus rhythm on its own and will require some form of treatment.
• Longstanding Afibi s when the heart is consistently in an irregular rhythm for longer than 12 months.
• Permanent Afib occurs when the condition lasts indefinitely, and the patient and doctor have decided not to continue trying to restore a normal rhythm.
• Nonvalvular Afib is AFib not caused by a heart valve issue.
All types of AFib can increase your risk of stroke. Even if you have no noticeable symptoms,you are nearly five times more likely to have a stroke than someone who doesn’t have AFib.
A person with atrial fibrillation also may have a related heart rhythm problem called atrial flutter. The treatments forAFib and atrial flutter are similar.
Causes
To understand the causes of atrial fibrillation (AFib), it may be helpful to know how the heart typically beats.
The heart has four chambers:
• The two upper chambers are called the atria.
• The two lower chambers are called the ventricles.
Inside the upper right heart chamber is a group of cells called the sinus node. The sinus node makes the signals that starts each heartbeat.
The signals move across the upper heart chambers. Next, the signals arrive at a group of cells called theAVnode, where they usually slow down. The signals then go to the lower heart chambers.
In a healthy heart, this signaling process usually goes smoothly. The resting heart rate is typically 60 to 100 beats a minute.
But in atrial fibrillation, the signals in the upper chambers of the heart are chaotic. The AV node is flooded with signals trying to get through to the lower heart chambers. This causes a fast and irregular heart rhythm.
Causes
Problems with the heart's structure are the most common cause of atrial fibrillation (Afib).
There other causes and your physician will conduct the tests needed to determine the cause of your rhythm problem
Lifestyle habits that can trigger an Afib episode may include:
• Drinking too much alcohol or caffeine.
• Illegal drug use.
• Smoking or using tobacco.
• Taking medicines that contain stimulants, including cold and allergy medicines bought without a prescription.
Family history. An increased risk of atrial fibrillation occurs in some families.
Prevention
Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:
• Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
• Don't smoke or use tobacco.
• Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
• Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Reduce and manage stress.
Diagnosis
You may not know you have atrial fibrillation (AFib). The condition may be found when a health checkup is done for another reason.
To diagnose AFib, the health care provider examines you and asks questions about your medical history and symptoms. Tests may be done to look for conditions that can cause irregular heartbeats, such as heart disease or thyroid disease.
Tests
Tests to diagnose atrial fibrillation (AFib) may include:
• Blood tests.Blood tests are done to look for health conditions or substances that may affect the heart or heartbeat.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG).This quick and painless test measures the electrical activity of the heart. Sticky patches called electrodes are placed on the chest and sometimes the arms and legs. Wires connect the electrodes to a computer, which prints or displays the test results. An ECG can show the heart rhythm and how slow or fast the heart is beating. It's the main test for diagnosing atrial fibrillation.
• Holter monitor.This small, portable device to monitor your heart
Echocardiogram.Sound waves are used to create images of the beating heart. This test can show how blood flows through the heart and heart valves.
• Exercise stress tests.These tests often involve walking on a treadmill or pedaling a stationary bike while the heart is monitored. The tests show how the heart reacts to exercise. If you can't exercise, you may be given medicine that increases the heart rate like exercise does. Sometimes echocardiogram is done during a stress test.
• Chest X-ray. A chest X-ray shows the condition of the lungs and heart
Treatment
The goals of atrial fibrillation treatment are to reset and control the heartbeat and prevent blood clots.
Treatment depends on:
• How long you've had AFib.
• Your symptoms.
• The cause of the irregular heartbeat.
Atrial fibrillation treatment may involve:
Medicine.
• Therapy to reset the heart rhythm, called cardioversion.
• Surgery or catheter procedures
You and your Cardiologist will make the best decision for you
Make sure you write down all the questions you want to ask the physician Take someone with you if possible.
Here is to your Heart Health
Cathy Gegaris
