Irregular or Fast Heartbeat? Take Charge of Your Rhythm
Atrial fibrillation, commonly referred to as ‘AFib’ or ‘AF’ is a heart condition where the heart rhythm is irregular and, in many cases, very fast beating above 100 beats per minute. It can affect people of any age but is more common in older people. If left undiagnosed or untreated, AFib increases the risk of stroke and heart failure. It has been referred to as a growing health concern.
What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?
An irregular heart rhythm caused by AFib can manifest as a variety of symptoms, including dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. People living with atrial fibrillation may also experience heart palpitations, can feel like a fluttering, pounding, or irregular beating in the chest. These palpitations can persist for a few seconds or several minutes at a time.
The most important thing is to try and recognize the symptoms, and when something is not feeling right, seek appropriate action with a medical professional.
How is it diagnosed?
There are a number of ways atrial fibrillation can present. AFib can be asymptomatic, meaning that individuals may be unaware of their irregular heart rhythm. AFib is commonly discovered during routine check-ups, when a simple pulse check reveals an irregular heartbeat. In some cases, symptoms can be more subtle, such as fatigue or shortness of breath, prompting people to go for tests to investigate.
In some circumstances, AFib results in a racing heartbeat, at 150 beats per minute or more, which should lead someone to an emergency department or specialist cardiac care unit, bringing this heart condition into sharp focus. In more severe cases, AFib goes undetected until it leads to a serious complication such as a stroke. This is why awareness of the condition is so crucial.
How is AFib treated?
While AFib is not typically life-threatening in itself, it can significantly increase the risk of stroke. The irregular heart rhythm can also be uncomfortable and often necessitates medical intervention.
Treatment for AFib is tailored to the individual and may include medications to control heart rate/rhythm or to prevent stroke. People with AFib may also undergo cardioversion, which is a procedure that involves delivering a controlled electric shock to the heart, aiming to reset it back into a normal rhythm or catheter ablation, a minimally invasive procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to target and disable the area within the heart responsible for the irregular rhythm.
Thankfully once diagnosed, AFib is treatable and early intervention is key. New technologies are emerging all the time and whether it is through medication or advanced procedures like ablation, the goal is to restore a normal heart rhythm and reduce the risk of complications.
How important are lifestyle changes?
Living a heart-healthy lifestyle is important to support management of AFib. This means incorporating regular exercise into your routine, aiming for at least 150 minutes a week. Maintaining a healthy weight, cutting back on alcohol, quitting smoking and managing blood pressure are also essential. Other underlying health conditions should be managed such as thyroid issues and sleep apnea, as they can play a role in AFib.
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