September is National Afib Awareness Month. Afib stands for atrial fibrillation, a type of arrhythmia or abnormal heartbeat. During Afib, the heart’s upper chambers, or the atria, beat chaotically and irregularly. They beat out of sync with the lower heart chambers, the ventricles.
Afib can lead to blood clots in the heart. It also increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications.
It usually isn’t life-threatening, but it is a serious medical condition that needs proper treatment to prevent serious health issues.
There are many symptoms of Afib, they can include:
- Feelings of a fast, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness
- Reduced ability to exercise
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
People can experience three types of Afib, including:
- Paroxysmal Afib
- Persistent Afib
- Long-standing persistent Afib
The most common cause of Afib is problems with the heart’s structure. Other health problems and heart diseases that can cause Afib include:
- A congenital heart defect
- Sick sinus syndrome
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Heart attack
- High blood pressure
- Lung diseases, including pneumonia
- Coronary artery disease
- Thyroid diseases
- Infections from viruses
Many factors can increase your risk of Afib, including:
- Age
- Caffeine, nicotine, or illegal drug use
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Changes in the level of body minerals
- Family history
- Long-term health conditions
- Obesity
- Some medicines and supplements
Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and prevent Afib. Some basic heart-healthy tips include:
- Controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes
- Not smoking or using tobacco
- Eating a diet that is low in salt and saturated fat
- Exercising at least 30 minutes a day at least five days a week
- Getting at least seven to nine hours of sleep a day
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Reducing and managing stress
Afib is diagnosed when a healthcare provider examines you and asks questions about your medical history and symptoms. Tests may be done to look for conditions causing irregular heartbeats such as heart disease or thyroid disease, including:
- Blood tests
- ECG or EKG
- Holter monitor
- Event recorder
- Implantable loop recorder
- Exercise stress tests
- Chest X-ray
The goals of Afib treatment are to reset and control the heartbeat and prevent blood clots. Treatment for Afib depends on how long you’ve had it, your symptoms, and the cause of the irregular heartbeat. Afib treatment can include:
- Medications
- Cardioversion therapy
- Surgery or catheter procedures
If you are experiencing any symptoms of Afib, you can schedule an appointment at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s Cardiology Department by calling (718) 206-7100. If you are experiencing an emergency, please dial 911 right away.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.