AFib, or atrial fibrillation, is the most common type of abnormal heart rhythm, affecting over 3 million adults every day. It happens when your heart beats too slowly, too quickly, or irregularly. Poor blood flow to the rest of your body can result from atrial fibrillation.
"The most common cardiac rhythm disorder is
atrial fibrillation," says Dr Ranjit Jagtap,
a cardiothoracic surgeon at Ram Mangal Heart Foundation. “Atrial Fibrillation
can also increase your risk of developing blood clots, having a stroke, having
heart failure, or having other problems. You are more likely to have a stroke
if your heartbeat is out of sync because blood can pool in parts of your heart
and form clots. These blood clots have the potential to travel to the brain,
resulting in a stroke. Strokes caused by AFib are more severe and fatal.”
If you have AFib, you may experience the following
symptoms:
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Breathing difficulty
- Palpitations and chest pain
The good news is that detecting and treating AFib
early can improve your quality of life and help you live longer.
Some people can live with atrial fibrillation for
years without experiencing any complications. However, atrial fibrillation can
lead to further complications:
Because the atria are beating rapidly and
irregularly, blood does not flow as quickly through them. This increases the
likelihood of clotting. If your heart pump out a clot, it can travel to the
brain and cause a stroke, or it can travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary
embolism.
According to Dr Ranjit Jagtap News, people
with atrial fibrillation are 5 to 7 times more likely than the general
population to have a stroke. Clots can also spread to other parts of the body
(kidneys, heart, intestines) and cause additional damage.
Atrial fibrillation can impair the heart's ability
to pump blood. The irregularity may cause the heart to work inefficiently.
Furthermore, long-term atrial fibrillation can significantly weaken the heart
and eventually lead to heart failure.
Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of stroke,
heart failure, and even death
What exactly are the signs and symptoms of atrial
fibrillation?
You could have atrial fibrillation without knowing
it. If you have symptoms, they could be as follows:
Heart palpitations are characterised by a sudden
pounding, fluttering, or racing sensation in the chest.
- Tiredness or a lack of energy
- Dizziness - a feeling of light-headedness or faint
- Chest discomfort leading to pain, pressure, or discomfort in the
chest.
- Breathing difficulties - Having difficulty breathing during normal
activities and even at rest
Treatment and Diagnosis
AFib can be detected using a variety of tests,
including a stress test, electrocardiogram, or echocardiogram. These tests aid
in the monitoring of your heart's activity and the detection of any abnormal
heart rhythms that may occur.
If you have AFib, your treatment will be determined
by the severity of your symptoms as well as the underlying cause. Your
treatment may consist of a combination of lifestyle changes, medication, and
procedures. Moreover, the main goal is to stop abnormal heart rhythms and
reduce your chances of having a stroke.
The following are the most used tests to diagnose
atrial fibrillation:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
The ECG depicts the electrical impulses travelling
through the heart muscle on graph paper. An EKG is a type of electrocardiogram
that provides an electrical "snapshot" of the heart.
- Holter monitor
A small external recorder is worn for a short
period of time, usually one to three days. Electrodes (sticky patches) that
doctors apply to the skin of your chest. Wires connect the electrodes to the
monitor. The electrical impulses are continuously recorded and saved in the
monitor. Then a physician analyses the data with a computer to determine the
heart's rhythm.
- Portable event monitor
A monitor that is worn for about a month by patients
who have less frequent irregular heartbeat episodes and symptoms. Electrodes
(sticky patches) that doctors apply to the skin of your chest. Wires connect
the electrodes to the monitor. When symptoms occur, the patient presses a
button to activate the monitor.
For a few seconds, the device records the
electrical activity of the heart. The patient then sends the device's recorded
data to the doctor's office via telephone line for evaluation. The portable
event monitor is extremely helpful in determining which heart rhythm is causing
your symptoms.
- Trans telephonic monitor
If you develop symptoms of atrial fibrillation, a
strip of your current heart rhythm will transmit to your doctor's office over
the phone, using a monitor with two bracelets.
What is the treatment for atrial fibrillation?
Treatment for atrial fibrillation aims to restore a
normal heart rhythm (sinus rhythm), control heart rate, prevent blood clots,
and lower the risk of stroke.
There are numerous treatment options for atrial
fibrillation, including lifestyle changes, medications, catheter-based
procedures, as well as surgery. Your heart rhythm and symptoms will determine
the type of treatment that suits you.
According to new research, addressing weight, sleep
apnea, and alcohol use can also help patients with AFib control their
condition. In fact, studies show that if you are overweight or obese, the
number of pounds you lose can influence how much your symptoms improve. The
more weight you lose, the less likely you are to experience symptoms of atrial
fibrillation.
Furthermore, learn more about atrial fibrillation
and its treatment in younger patients with abnormal heart rhythms at Dr
Ranjit Jagtap Clinic.
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