For: Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular and rapid heart rate that commonly causes poor blood flow to the body. During atrial fibrillation, the heart's two upper chambers (the atria) beat chaotically and irregularly — out of coordination with the two lower chambers (the ventricles) of the heart. Atrial fibrillation symptoms include heart palpitations, shortness of breath and weakness. Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of arrhythmia. An arrhythmia is a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow or with an irregular rhythm.
To understand atrial fibrillation, it helps to understand the heart's internal electrical system. The heart's electrical system controls the rate and rhythm of the heartbeat. With each heartbeat, an electrical signal spreads from the top of the heart to the bottom. As the signal travels, it causes the heart to contract and pump blood. In atrial fibrillation, the heart's electrical signals don't begin in the correct part of the heart. Instead, they begin in another part of the atria or in the nearby pulmonary veins. The signals don't travel normally. They may spread throughout the atria in a rapid, disorganized way. This can cause the atria or the ventricles to fibrillate, depending on where the incorrect signal originated.
Episodes of atrial fibrillation can come and go, or you may have chronic atrial fibrillation. Although atrial fibrillation itself usually isn't life-threatening, it is a serious medical condition that sometimes requires emergency treatment.
What are the Warning Signs of Atrial Fibrillation?
A heart in atrial fibrillation doesn't beat efficiently. It may not be able to pump enough blood out to your body with each heartbeat. Some people with atrial fibrillation have no symptoms and are unaware of their condition until it's discovered during a physical examination or a HealthFair screening. Those who do have atrial fibrillation symptoms may experience:
Abnormalities or damage to the heart's structure are the most common cause of atrial fibrillation. Other possible causes of atrial fibrillation include:
However, some people who have atrial fibrillation don't have any heart defects or damage. They possess a condition called lone atrial fibrillation. In lone atrial fibrillation, the cause for it is often unclear but serious complications are rare.
How do I know if I’m At Risk?
Some of the risk factors for atrial fibrillation are:
Prevention:
As with most heart and circulatory system problems, your risk of developing an atrial fibrillation lessens with a healthy lifestyle. Some of the key factors in maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle are:
If you have any of the above risk factors, then get screened today!
Screenings Recommended:
Echocardiogram