Understanding AFib: Common Symptoms and Treatments

Ever felt your heart do a little jig? A strange flutter, a sudden thumping, or perhaps just an overall sense of fatigue that you can't quite shake? While these can be fleeting moments, they might also be subtle whispers from your  heart, indicating a common yet serious condition called Atrial Fibrillation, or AFib.

What is AFib, Anyway?

Imagine your heart as a well-oiled machine, pumping blood efficiently throughout your body. In AFib, the upper chambers of your heart, called the atria, decide to throw a little party – an irregular, chaotic beat instead of a steady rhythm. This means that not enough blood gets pumped out, and instead, it can pool.

According to Dr. Scott Greenberg, Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist for St. Luke’s Health-The Woodlands Hospital, "AFib isn't just about an irregular heartbeat; it's electrical chaos within the top chambers of the heart predisposing patients to both stroke and heart failure. Our goal in electrophysiology is to calm that storm by modifying the errant pathways while mitigating stroke risk so that patients can live full, active lives.”

AFib: More Common Than You Think

This irregular heartbeat isn't a rare occurrence. In fact, a staggering 5 million Americans are currently living with AFib. And with an aging population and improved diagnostic techniques, that number is projected to skyrocket to over 12 million by 2030. This makes AFib the most common type of irregular heart rhythm out there.

The Hidden Dangers of AFib

That little flutter might seem harmless, but the consequences of untreated AFib can be profound. When blood pools in the atria, it creates a fertile ground for blood clots to form. These clots can then be pumped out of the heart and travel to other parts of the body, most notably the brain, where they can cause a devastating stroke. The statistics are sobering: AFib can double your risk of death and is linked to a five times increased risk for stroke. It can also contribute to a host of other heart-related complications, including heart failure.

Recognizing the Symptoms

One of the tricky things about AFib is that sometimes, people have no symptoms at all. Their condition might only be discovered during a routine physical exam. However, for many, AFib sends out clear signals. Pay attention to these potential indicators:

⦁ General tiredness

⦁ Rapid and irregular heartbeat

⦁ Fluttering or "thumping" in the chest

⦁ Dizziness

⦁ Shortness of breath and anxiety

⦁ Weakness

⦁ Faintness or confusion

⦁ Fatigue when exercising

⦁ Sweating

⦁ Chest pain or pressure (This is a medical emergency - seek immediate help if you experience this.)

Taking Control: Treatment Options for AFib

The good news is that AFib is treatable, and a combination of approaches can help manage the condition and reduce its risks.

Medical Management

⦁ Ablation is now the first line of defense, guidelines changed a few years back and made it a class 1 recommendation. Ablation works significantly better than medical therapy in preventing recurrent atrial fibrillation.

⦁ Heart rate controllers: These help maintain a normal heart rate while in AFib.

⦁ Heart rhythm controllers: These aim to restore and maintain a normal heart rhythm.

Nonsurgical Procedures

⦁ Electrical Cardioversion: Imagine hitting a "reset" button for your heart. This procedure involves a small electrical shock delivered to the chest, which can help reset the heart's rhythm.

⦁ Ablation: This targeted procedure uses catheters inserted into a blood vessel and guided into the heart to eliminate the specific problematic tissue that's causing the irregular signals to misfire and trigger AFib.

Surgical Intervention

⦁ Pacemakers: For some, a small electrical device called a pacemaker is surgically placed under the skin near the collarbone. Wires from the pacemaker connect to the heart, sending precisely timed electrical signals to maintain a steady beat.

Lifestyle: Your Heart's Best Friend

Beyond medical interventions, your lifestyle plays a huge role in both preventing and managing AFib. Taking proactive steps can significantly improve your heart health:

⦁ Get regular physical activity: Movement supports a strong heart.

⦁ Eat a heart-healthy diet: Focus on foods low in salt, saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol.

⦁ Manage high blood pressure: Work with your doctor to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.

⦁ Avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine: These can sometimes trigger or worsen AFib episodes.

⦁ Don't smoke: Smoking is detrimental to overall heart health.

⦁ Control cholesterol: High cholesterol can contribute to various heart issues.

⦁ Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight puts extra strain on your heart.

⦁ Get good sleep: Quality sleep is vital for your body's recovery and overall well-being.

The Takeaway

AFib is a serious condition, but with awareness, early detection, and proper management, you can significantly reduce its risks and live a full, healthy life. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, or if you have concerns about your heart health, don't hesitate to speak to your doctor. Listening to your heart now can make all the difference for your future.

Learn more about our cardiovascular services at commonspirit.org/heart.