Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is when your heart beats irregularly. Instead of a steady rhythm, it may beat too fast or unevenly. This happens when the electrical signals that tell your heart when to beat aren’t working right.
Managing AFib for a healthier heart
Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is when your heart beats irregularly. Normally, your heart has a steady rhythm, but in AFib, the upper chambers (atria) beat too fast and unevenly. This can keep your heart from pumping blood properly and leave some blood behind.
Leftover blood can form clots, which may travel to the brain and cause a stroke. About 15–20% of strokes are linked to AFib, so doctors often use blood thinners to lower this risk.
AFib can also make the lower chambers (ventricles) beat too fast, which can weaken the heart and lead to heart failure. Without care, AFib can double the risk of heart-related death and increase the chance of stroke, memory problems and cognitive decline.
The good news is AFib can be managed. With the right care, you don’t have to face it alone. If you or someone you know has AFib, reach out for support. We’re here to help you protect your heart and live confidently.
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Conditions
AFib doesn’t happen out of nowhere. Certain health conditions, habits and family history can make it more likely. The good news is that knowing your risk factors gives you a head start on protecting your heart. Managing these conditions can help prevent AFib or keep it under control.
Here are some common risk factors:
- Advanced age: Your risk for AFib rises as you get older. Staying active and having regular checkups can help.
- Alcohol use: Drinking too much alcohol can trigger AFib. Limiting alcohol and avoiding binge drinking can lower your risk.
- Asthma: This lung condition can make AFib worse. Proper medication and control help manage both.
- Cardiomyopathy: A disease of the heart muscle can increase AFib risk. Medications and care can help manage it.
- Chronic kidney disease: Kidney problems can raise the risk of AFib. Managing kidney health is important.
- Diabetes: Poorly controlled diabetes increases AFib risk. Keeping blood sugar in check through medication, diet and exercise is important.
- Family history: If close relatives have AFib, your risk goes up. Regular checkups and a healthy lifestyle help.
- High blood pressure: Uncontrolled blood pressure strains the heart. Medications and lifestyle changes can manage it.
- Hyperthyroidism: An overactive thyroid can trigger AFib. Medications can control thyroid levels.
- Heart attack history: Past heart attacks can raise the risk of AFib. Heart care and follow-up are important.
- Obesity: Being overweight can increase blood pressure and strain the heart, raising AFib risk.
- Sleep apnea: Interrupted breathing during sleep can increase risk. Treating it with a CPAP or other methods helps.
- Smoking: Smoking damages the heart and raises AFib risk. Quitting is key for heart health.
- Underlying heart disease: Valve problems or past heart surgery increase risk. Medications or procedures can help.
- Stimulants: Excess caffeine or certain drugs can trigger AFib. Limiting these can reduce risk.
Other factors like stress, lung disease or certain infections may also play a role.
Testing
If you’re at risk for AFib, getting tested is an important step. AFib can be linked to other health issues, but with the right care, it can be managed. Your doctor may recommend tests to diagnose AFib or see if you’re at risk.
Common tests include:
- Blood tests: Check for thyroid problems or other health issues that could contribute to AFib.
- Cardiac CT or MRI: Advanced imaging that gives a detailed view of your heart’s structure and any scarring that could affect rhythm.
- Echocardiogram: An ultrasound of your heart to look at its structure and how it’s working.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): A simple test that checks your heart’s rhythm.
- Electrophysiology study: A special hospital test that maps the heart’s electrical system to find where irregular signals start.
- Event monitor: Similar to a Holter monitor but worn for a few weeks to catch irregular heartbeats that happen less often.
- Holter monitor: A portable ECG worn for 24 to 48 hours to track your heart rhythm over time.
- Stress test: Checks how your heart works during exercise or activity to see if AFib is triggered.
These tests help your doctor understand your heart rhythm, identify what may be causing AFib and guide the right treatment to protect your heart.
Treatments
Treating AFib early can lower your risk of complications like stroke and heart failure. Taking action can help you feel better, stay active and protect your heart. Treatment depends on your symptoms and overall health. Common options include:
- Anti-arrhythmic medications: Help reset your heart’s rhythm and prevent AFib from coming back.
- Beta blockers or calcium channel blockers: Slow your heart rate when in AFib.
- Blood thinners: Help prevent blood clots in the heart and lower your risk of stroke.
- Cardioversion: A procedure that delivers a low-level electrical shock while you’re under mild anesthesia to reset your heart to a normal rhythm. It can relieve symptoms and help prevent future episodes of AFib.
- Catheter ablation: A minimally invasive procedure where a thin catheter is guided to your heart to destroy specific heart tissue causing abnormal electrical signals. This can prevent AFib from coming back and improve symptoms.
- Convergent procedure: A hybrid approach combining catheter ablation and surgical techniques for patients with long-standing persistent AFib or structural heart changes.
- Lifestyle changes: Weight management, regular exercise, limiting alcohol and caffeine, quitting smoking and managing stress can help control AFib and reduce episodes.
- Left atrial appendage closure (WATCHMAN device): A procedure that closes off part of the heart where blood clots can form, lowering stroke risk for people who cannot take blood thinners long term.
- Pacemaker implantation: For patients with slow heart rates or certain complications, a pacemaker can help the heart maintain a safe rhythm.
- Rate control strategy: In some cases, doctors focus on controlling heart rate rather than restoring normal rhythm.
If you have AFib or think you’re at risk, talk with your doctor about which treatment is right for you. We’re here to guide you on your journey to a healthier heart and a better quality of life.
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