Atrial Fibrillation

The Mayo Clinic explains atrial fibrillation or a-fib is “an irregular and often rapid heart rate that occurs when the two upper chambers of your heart experience chaotic electrical signals. The result is a fast and irregular heart rhythm. The heart rate in atrial fibrillation may range from 100 to 175 beats a minute.” The danger of a-fib is it can increase your risk for heart failure, stroke and other heart-related diseases. Symptoms of a-fib include shortness of breath, heart palpations, fatigue and weakness, dizziness and lightheadedness.

A person with the condition may experience episodes that come and go, while others have it on-going. Medical experts say a-fib is not generally life threatening but it is a serious condition and sometimes requires emergency medical treatment. One such emergency is the potential to develop blood clots in the upper chambers of the heart. These type of blood clots can circulate to other organs and cause ischemia (an inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body, especially the heart muscles).

Doctors say along with medications and treatments, patients should try to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. Recommendations include quitting smoking, controlling high blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight and consuming alcohol in moderation or not at all. They also say if you have sleep apnea get treatment for it and to exercise regularly. It is important to keep cholesterol and triglycerides in a healthy range, and be sure to get recommended vaccinations especially if you have heart disease.

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