Do you experience chest pain, lightheadedness, and heart palpitations? Are there moments when you can’t catch your breath?
If so, you may have atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation occurs when the atria, or upper chambers of the heart, lose their normal rhythm and beat chaotically. It’s commonly known as AF or AFib.
When it happens, blood doesn’t flow through the heart and body efficiently. Inefficient flow can cause the blood to pool inside the atria, which increases the risk of blood clots.
If so, you may have atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation occurs when the atria, or upper chambers of the heart, lose their normal rhythm and beat chaotically. It’s commonly known as AF or AFib.
When it happens, blood doesn’t flow through the heart and body efficiently. Inefficient flow can cause the blood to pool inside the atria, which increases the risk of blood clots.
Types
Types of AFib
Paroxysmal AFib are episodes of AFib that occur occasionally and
then stop spontaneously. Episodes can last for a few seconds or a few
days before stopping and returning to normal sinus rhythm.
Some people may have single episodes of AFib. However, people with permanent damage to their heart may experience constant, or chronic AFib. There are three types of AFib: paroxysmal, persistent, and chronic (or permanent).
Persistent AFib lasts longer than seven days. It doesn’t stop without treatment. Normal rhythm may be achieved with medication or electric shock treatment.
Chronic or permanent AFib is ongoing for many years. It can’t be changed back to normal rhythm, even with medication or electrical shock therapy.
Some people may have single episodes of AFib. However, people with permanent damage to their heart may experience constant, or chronic AFib. There are three types of AFib: paroxysmal, persistent, and chronic (or permanent).
Persistent AFib lasts longer than seven days. It doesn’t stop without treatment. Normal rhythm may be achieved with medication or electric shock treatment.
Chronic or permanent AFib is ongoing for many years. It can’t be changed back to normal rhythm, even with medication or electrical shock therapy.
Progression
Progression from paroxysmal to permanent
It’s not uncommon for people with paroxysmal AFib to develop persistent or chronic atrial fibrillation. Research
has reported that 9 percent to 30 percent of cases of paroxysmal AFib
progress into a more serious case after one year. Age, hypertension,
obesity, and overall health all factor into the risk of developing
chronic AFib.
Who gets atrial fibrillation?
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
between 2.7 and 6.1 million people in the United States have some type
of AFib. It’s the most common abnormal heart rhythm. Studies have shown
that around 40 percent of people with AFib have paroxysmal AFib. However, estimates vary widely due to the difficulty of diagnosing different types.
AFib occurs more often in older people. The older you are, the more likely you are to have it. However, younger people are more likely to have paroxysmal AFib than other types.
You’re also at greater risk for the condition if you have:
AFib occurs more often in older people. The older you are, the more likely you are to have it. However, younger people are more likely to have paroxysmal AFib than other types.
You’re also at greater risk for the condition if you have:
- heart disease
- thyroid problems
- high blood pressure
- sleep apnea
- diabetes
- kidney disease
- alcohol misuse problems
Causes
Causes of AFib
AFib is caused by damage to the heart from heart disease or high
blood pressure. Medications and other factors can also lead to AFib.
These factors include:
- binge drinking, or consuming 4 to 5 drinks within 2 hours
- stimulant medications and drugs, such as methylphenidate, pseudoephedrine, or cocaine
- nicotine
- caffeine
- low potassium levels, which can lead to an electrolyte imbalance
- low magnesium levels
- a significant illness or surgery
- viral infections
- heart or heart valve defects
- hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)
- inflammation
- family history of AFib
Symptoms and complications
Symptoms of AFib can include:
If AFib persists over a long period without treatment, the heart may no longer effectively push blood and oxygen throughout the body. This could result in heart failure.
- lightheadedness
- weakness
- pounding heart
- chest pain
Complications
Stroke and embolism are the most serious and the most common complications of AFib. People with AFib are 4 to 5 times more likely to have a stroke than people without it. This is because blood pooling inside the heart can coagulate and form clots. Those clots can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. They can also lodge in the gut, limbs, and kidneys, blocking blood flow and starving the tissue.If AFib persists over a long period without treatment, the heart may no longer effectively push blood and oxygen throughout the body. This could result in heart failure.
Treating AFib
Treatment for AFib involves:
Your doctor may suggest an antiarrhythmic medication, such as amiodarone (Cordarone) or propafenone (Rythmol), even when normal rhythm has returned. They also may prescribe beta-blockers to control blood pressure.
Another option for the treatment of AFib is ablation. Ablation is done by a heart rhythm specialist. The doctor inserts an instrument that goes through the groin and up into the areas around the heart. Then, they disable the source of the abnormal rhythm. In certain people, this intervention can treat AFib permanently.
If you have ongoing AFib, your doctor may prescribe blood-thinning medications such as warfarin (Coumadin) to prevent blood clots.
- resetting the heart’s rhythm
- controlling the heart’s speed
- preventing blood clots
Your doctor may suggest an antiarrhythmic medication, such as amiodarone (Cordarone) or propafenone (Rythmol), even when normal rhythm has returned. They also may prescribe beta-blockers to control blood pressure.
Another option for the treatment of AFib is ablation. Ablation is done by a heart rhythm specialist. The doctor inserts an instrument that goes through the groin and up into the areas around the heart. Then, they disable the source of the abnormal rhythm. In certain people, this intervention can treat AFib permanently.
If you have ongoing AFib, your doctor may prescribe blood-thinning medications such as warfarin (Coumadin) to prevent blood clots.
Living with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
Staying healthy is key to living a normal, active life with AFib. Underlying conditions, such as high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes, and obesity, are common risk factors for developing an AFib episode.To prevent additional paroxysmal AFib episodes, avoid excessive alcohol consumption and stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine.
Lastly, always remember to talk to your doctor, and schedule regular checkups
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