What is AFib?
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common type of heart arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat. When you are living with AFib, the electrical signals that regulate your heartbeat are interrupted by chaotic signals, making the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) contract irregularly.
Working with a cardiologist and an electrophysiologist, you can manage AFib and protect your long-term health.
AFib symptoms
AFib doesn’t always cause symptoms. When symptoms do occur, you might notice them only occasionally.
If you experience any of these symptoms, track how often they occur, what you are doing when they happen and whether symptoms change over time. This is important information to share with your healthcare provider.
Symptoms of AFib include:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or fainting
- Fatigue
- Heart palpitations, which can feel like fluttering, pounding, a heartbeat that is too fast or too slow, or feeling like your heart missed a beat
- Low blood pressure
- Trouble breathing, especially when exercising or lying down
What causes AFib?
AFib develops due to inflammation of, stress on or damage to heart tissue, which often occurs due to other conditions. These include:
- Heart disease, such as cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease and heart valve disease
- High blood pressure
- Endocrine disorders, such as diabetes and hyperthyroidism
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Inflammation from myocarditis and pericarditis
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Sick sinus syndrome
- Viral infections
- Chronic kidney disease
- Obesity
Risk factors for atrial fibrillation
For some people, strenuous physical activity can lead to a higher risk of AFib. However, moderate exercise can help lower your risk and following a healthy lifestyle can help prevent some of the causes of AFib.
Many factors are linked to an increased risk of developing AFib. These include:
- Advancing age
- Family history and genetics
- Having certain health conditions, [such as high blood pressure]
- Race, as AFib happens more commonly among Caucasian populations
- Surgery on your heart, lungs or esophagus
Lifestyle factors also play a big role in AFib risk, including:
- Excessive consumption of alcohol
- Having high amounts of emotional stress
- Smoking
- Using illegal drugs
Complications
Blood clots are a serious complication of atrial fibrillation and can lead to stroke.
The risk of stroke from AFib increases with age and is heightened by other conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, and certain types of heart valve disease.
How is AFib diagnosed?
If you have AFib symptoms, your doctor will make a diagnosis based on a physical exam and testing.
In most cases, an electrocardiogram (EKG) will be done first. This noninvasive test records the electrical activity of your heart and shows your doctor whether your heart is beating irregularly.
Other tests, such as blood tests, chest X-rays and other tests, can help your doctor determine the cause of AFib and find the best course of treatment.
If you have risk factors for AFib, your doctor might recommend screening for the disease condition as part of your routine medical care.
If more information is needed to make a diagnosis, your doctor may also do other tests, such as:
- Echocardiogram: This is an ultrasound that provides a detailed image of the heart’s structures. It can also detect blood clots and areas of the heart that are not functioning correctly.
- Event recorder: This portable device records your heart rhythm when you have symptoms and transmits the information back to your doctor.
- Holter monitor: Typically worn for 24- to 48-hour periods, this portable device continuously monitors the heart’s electrical activity.
AFib treatment
AFib treatment depends on the cause and severity of the condition. Medicine and lifestyle changes may not improve your symptoms. In those cases, your doctor may recommend surgery or a minimally invasive cardiac catheter ablation procedure.
Find a location near you
You can find comprehensive, advanced diagnosis and treatment for AFib at a location that fits your needs. We have many convenient heart and vascular clinics, including specialized centers in North and Central Texas.
Loading locations...
Loading locations...