Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

Overview

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is a rapid and irregular beating of the heart’s upper chambers, the atria. This irregular heartbeat can lead to blood clots in heart, that increase the risk of stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications. AFib is a serious heart condition that requires proper medical care.

Signs and Symptoms

• Feeling of fast heart beat, Palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Chest pain
• Light headedness
• Weakness

Causes of Atrial Fibrillation

Different conditions may cause atrial fibrillation, including:

• Heart problems you are born with, a congenital heart defect
• A sleep disorder, obstructive sleep apnea
• Narrowed or blocked arteries, coronary artery disease
• High blood pressure
• Lung diseases, including pneumonia
• Enlarged heart
• Heart surgery
• Thyroid disease
• Heart attack
• Problem with the heart's natural pacemaker, Sick sinus syndrome
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Heart failure
• Habits like Smoking or using tobacco
• Certain Viral Infections

Types

There are four major types of atrial fibrillation, including:

• Paroxysmal AFib: The symptoms come and go, lasting for minutes to hours, or as long as a week.
• Persistent AFib: Irregular heartbeat is constant, episodes last longer than seven days.
• Long-standing Persistent AFib: This is continuous AFib,  lasting more than a year.
• Permanent AFib: Here, treatment cannot restore a normal heart rhythm. Medicines are needed to control heat rhythm and prevent clotting.

Diagnosis

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): Records the electrical activity of the heart.
• Holter Monitor: A Portable ECG device worn for 24-48 hours to detect irregularities.
• Event Monitor: Worn over several weeks to catch intermittent AFib episodes.
• Echocardiogram: Sound waves are used to create images of beating heart and assess heart structure and function.
• Blood Tests: To look for substances that may have triggered the irregular heart beat. Also check for thyroid function and other conditions.
• Stress Test: Monitors heart activity during physical exertion.

Atrial Fibrillation Treatment Procedures

Medications:

• Antiarrhythmics: Control heart rhythm.
• Beta-blockers: Slow heart rate.
• Calcium channel blockers: Regulate heart rate.
• Anticoagulants: Prevent blood clots.

Non-Surgical Interventions:

• Cardioversion: Electrical shock or medication to restore normal rhythm.
• Catheter Ablation: Destroys small areas of heart tissue causing AFib.
• Pacemaker: Regulates heart rhythm, especially in bradycardia cases.

Surgical Interventions:

• Maze Procedure: Creates a pattern of scar tissue to redirect electrical signals.
• Left Atrial Appendage Closure: Reduces stroke risk by closing off the area where clots are likely to form.

Atrial Fibrillation Risk Factors

Factors that may increase the risk of atrial fibrillation include:

• Old age
• Male gender
• Family history of atrial fibrillation
• Congenital heart defects
• Alcohol consumption
• Obesity
• Family history of heart disease
• Thyroid disorders
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Pericarditis
• Previous heart surgery
• Metabolic syndrome
• Diabetes
• Sleep apnea
• High-dose steroid therapy

Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation

Manage the signs and symptoms of atrial fibrillation with these steps:

• Diet: Eating a nutritious diet helps control the risk of atrial fibrillation.
• Avoid Harmful Substances: Quit smoking, alcohol, and illicit drugs to prevent heart damage.
• Manage Stress: Reducing stress can help lower blood pressure and heart rate, decreasing the risk of atrial fibrillation.

FAQ

• Q: What causes Atrial Fibrillation? A: AFib can be caused by high blood pressure, heart attacks, coronary artery disease, abnormal heart valves, congenital heart defects, and overactive thyroid or metabolic imbalance.
• Q: Can AFib be cured? A: While AFib can often be managed effectively with treatment, it may not be completely curable. Treatment aims to control symptoms and reduce the risk of complications.
• Q: Is AFib life-threatening? A: AFib itself is not usually life-threatening but can lead to serious complications such as stroke and heart failure if not managed properly.
• Q: How is AFib diagnosed? A: AFib is diagnosed through a combination of medical history, physical examination, ECG, Holter monitoring, echocardiography, and blood tests.
• Q: What lifestyle changes can help manage AFib? A: Lifestyle changes include maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, avoiding excessive caffeine and alcohol, quitting smoking, and managing stress.

At Yatharth Hospital, our team of experienced cardiologists provides expert care for patients with Atrial Fibrillation. If you suspect you have AFib or are experiencing rapid heartbeats, schedule a consultation with our specialists for evaluation and treatment.