Atrial fibrillation (A-fib)
On this page, you will find everything you need to know about atrial fibrillation.
What Is Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation is a cardiac condition that leads to an irregular heartbeat, often abnormally fast. A normal heart rate is regular and ranges between 60 and 100 beats per minute when a person is at rest.
What Are the Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation?
Some people with atrial fibrillation, especially older adults, do not show any symptoms. Often, irregular heartbeat is only discovered during check-ups or routine examinations for another condition.
- The symptoms of atrial fibrillation include:
- The most noticeable symptom of atrial fibrillation is heart palpitations.
- Irregular heartbeat — the heart may also beat very fast (often higher than 100 beats per minute).
- Fatigue and reduced ability to exercise.
- Shortness of breath.
- Feeling faint or dizzy.
Chest pain.
What Are the Causes and Risk Factors for Atrial Fibrillation?
- The most common causes of atrial fibrillation are:
- Long-term high blood pressure.
- Coronary heart disease.
- Heart valve diseases.
- An overactive thyroid, which is a less common cause compared to heart disease and high blood pressure.
Other medical conditions include infections, obstructive sleep apnea, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and lung diseases.
- Certain factors can increase the risk of developing atrial fibrillation. These include:
- Advancing age.
- Alcohol consumption.
Family history of atrial fibrillation.
How Is Atrial Fibrillation Diagnosed?
- The doctor will take the medical history and conduct a physical examination. They may also request additional procedures as needed, such as:ECG
- An electrocardiogram (ECG).
- 24-hour cardiac monitoring (called a Holter monitor).
- Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound).
Blood tests to identify certain causes, such as an overactive thyroid.
What Are the Treatment Methods for Atrial Fibrillation?
- Treatment can involve several procedures or tailored approaches as needed, including:
- Medications.
- Electrical cardioversion: In severe cases associated with atrial fibrillation complications, an electrical shock is delivered to the heart to restore the normal heart rhythm.
- Catheter ablation: A procedure that uses energy to destroy (ablate) the area inside the heart causing the abnormal rhythm when medications fail to restore normal heart rhythm patterns.
Pacemaker: A small implantable device that stimulates the heart to maintain regular heartbeats when medications fail to restore the usual heart rhythm.
What Are the Ways to Prevent Atrial Fibrillation?
There are no guaranteed methods to prevent atrial fibrillation, but most people can manage it and live relatively normal lives. To maintain heart health, it is important to take medications as prescribed, look after overall health, and visit the doctor regularly.
- It is also important for individuals to live a healthy lifestyle to reduce the impact of atrial fibrillation by:
- Eating healthy foods.
- Maintaining physical activity and discussing the appropriate amount of exercise with a doctor.
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Not smoking.
- Avoiding alcohol.
- Avoiding or limiting caffeine intake.
Managing diabetes, if the person has it.
What Are the Complications of Atrial Fibrillation?
People with atrial fibrillation are at an increased risk of stroke. In severe cases, atrial fibrillation can also lead to heart failure.
When Should You See a Doctor?
- Consult a doctor if you have any of the following symptoms:
- You have chest pain that comes and goes.
- You have chest pain that quickly resolves, but you are still worried.
- You notice a sudden change in your heartbeat.
Your heart rate is consistently below 60 or above 100, especially if you have other symptoms of atrial fibrillation, such as dizziness and shortness of breath.
It is important to seek medical advice to ensure that there is no risk to your health.
- Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve noticed I’m experiencing palpitations. Does this mean I have a heart problem?
- No, there are many reasons for palpitations that do not indicate a heart problem, such as certain stimulants and foods, anxiety and panic attacks, anemia, thyroid imbalances, and other causes.
I feel chest pain. Does this mean I have a heart problem?
- No, many causes of chest pain originate from other organs, such as the esophagus, when a person experiences burning due to reflux from the stomach, or when the muscles and joints in the chest become inflamed. However, in all cases, especially when there are risk factors like chronic diseases such as diabetes, it is important to see a doctor immediately to ensure heart health.
Is atrial fibrillation a chronic disease that cannot be completely cured?
