Atrial Fibrillation Explained: Risks, Symptoms, and Modern Therapies

Simply put, atrial fibrillation (AFib) is one of the most common heart rhythm disorders affecting millions of people all over the world. Properly managing atrial fibrillation is important because this condition can lead to serious complications. It’s important for those who have AFib and their family and friends to know the risks, symptoms, and new treatments for atrial fibrillation.

What is Atrial Fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is an irregular and often rapid heartbeat, which can result in poor blood flow and an increased risk of stroke. In AFib, the two upper chambers of the heart (the atria) quiver instead of beating effectively; blood then pools and may clot.

Types of Atrial Fibrillation

1. Paroxysmal AFib: This type occurs at irregular intervals and may last for a few minutes or up to a few days before resolving on its own.
2. Persistent AFib: This form of Atrial Fibrillation lasts longer than seven days and usually has to be medically terminated or controlled to restore normal heart rhythm.
3. Permanent AFib: The abnormal rhythm from a permanent form of AFib will not go back to a normal heart rhythm, and we focus on controlling the condition.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation symptoms can occur to different degrees of intensity and might include:

• Palpitations: An irregular or fast heartbeat which may feel like the fluttering of your heart in your chest.
• Shortness of breath: you may feel difficulty breathing when active or at rest.
• Fatigue: Feeling tired even after minimal activity.
• Dizzyness or lightheaded: you may experience these symptoms because of decreased blood flow to your brain.
• Chest pain: some people with AFib may experience discomfort/pain.

Some patients may have AFib with symptoms as mild as the above list but can be faced with severe consequences, stroke or heart failure.  

Risks Associated with Atrial Fibrillation

The main hazards of atrial fibrillation include:

• Stroke: Because blood clots can form in the atria and then travel to the brain, the risk of stroke can be increased significantly.
• Heart Failure: Eventually, the heart will not be able to adequately pump blood which could result in heart failure.
• Other complications: AFib can also lead to other cardiovascular complications and increase the risk of heart attack.

Diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation

When AFib is suspected, health care providers will usually perform a few tests such as:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): The ECG examines the heart’s electrical activity and is important in the diagnosis of AFib.
• Holter Monitor: A Holter monitor is a portable ECG worn for 24 to 48 hours to monitor pauses of AFib that may occur intermittently.
• Echocardiogram: This imaging test allows doctors to see the heart and how it is functioning and can identify other underlying issues.

Modern Therapies for Atrial Fibrillation

1. Lifestyle Changes

To help you feel better and decrease risks while living with AFib, making certain changes to your lifestyle will help tremendously. Here are some of the lifestyle changes you can make:

• Eating: Follow a heart-healthy diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein.
• Exercising: It is important that you exercise regularly to be in shape and manage your weight without any kind of complications.
• Stress Reduction: You must consider opting for yoga or medication that can help you alleviate stress that is a potential trigger for your AFib symptoms.

2. Medications

Another important aspect of atrial fibrillation is medication and some of the primary categories are specified below:

• Anticoagulants – Medicines such as warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants. These medicines help manage a person’s risk for stroke by preventing the formation of blood clots.
• Rate Control Medications – Beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, which help to control your heart rate.
• Rhythm Control Medications – Anti-arrhythmic drugs such as flecainide or amiodarone work to restore the person to a normal rhythm.

3. Catheter Ablation

If you are experiencing symptoms even after medications, then you can consider for catheter ablation as it is not only minimally invasive but also comes with:

• Inserting catheters through blood vessels to access the heart.
• Separately delivering energy to ablate (destroy) the tissue causing the AFib.

 

4. Surgical Options

Sometimes surgery may be an option, such as the Maze procedure, which interrupts abnormal electrical signals by creating scar tissue. Generally, this procedure is reserved for patients with persistent AFib who do not have success with any other treatments.

Conclusion

Atrial fibrillation is a dangerous health condition that requires managing the risk factors and other chronic conditions to reduce risks and improve quality of life. You need to understand the symptoms, get complete know-how of the risks and new treatments can help patients feel more in control of their overall health. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of atrial fibrillation, it’s important to call your physician. At AMC Hospital, our cardiology team is expert at managing heart care, and we provide broad-spectrum, comprehensive care tailored to your needs. Contact us to schedule your appointment today and take the next step towards heart health!