Overview
Atrial Fibrillation also referred to as (AFib) is a common type of heart condition characterized by erratic & sporadic heartbeat (arrhythmia). Atrial Fibrillation affects the heart's upper chamber, referred to as the atria. The electrical impulses in the atria become jumbled in atrial fibrillation, causing them to quiver or fibrillate instead of contracting correctly. This might result in an irregular and frequently fast pulse.
During atrial fibrillation, the heart's top chambers, the atria, beat wildly and erratically. They are unable to pump in sync with the lower heart chambers, known as the ventricles. Most people with AFib often don't experience noticeable symptoms. However, AFib might induce a rapid, pounding pulse, shortness of breath, or dizziness.
Atrial fibrillation episodes can be intermittent or continuous. AFib by itself is typically not fatal. However, it is a significant medical issue that requires prompt treatment to avoid a stroke.
Medicines, shock treatment to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm, and surgeries to block incorrect cardiac impulses may all be used to treat atrial fibrillation.
A person with atrial fibrillation may also have a cardiac rhythm disorder known as atrial flutter. AFib and atrial flutter therapy are similar.
Types of Atrial Fibrillation
Unlike other heart diseases, Atrial Fibrillation doesn’t necessarily have specific types but rather episodes. Atrial Fibrillation is classified into types based on their duration (how long one episode lasts) and what caused it.
Different types of identified AFibs are:
Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation
Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation is a type of Afib whose effect lasts more than a week and appears without significant cause. It is also known as intermittent A-fib or holiday heart syndrome and can last anywhere from a few minutes to many days. Although it doesn’t have any causes it is common during stress and after a long night of heavy drinking.
Chest discomfort, lightheadedness, weariness, heart palpitations/irregularities, and shortness of breath are all symptoms of paroxysmal Afib. With this form of AFib, you may not require immediate treatment, but you should visit a doctor.
Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Persistent Atrial Fibrillation (PAF) is an arrhythmia that lasts longer than seven days and does not resolve on its own.
It is linked to higher morbidity and mortality as a result of consequences including thromboembolism and heart failure. Age, severe aortic stenosis or mitral regurgitation, left atrial enlargement, and a diagnosis of cardiomyopathy are all risk factors for the advancement of AF.
Cardioversion may be required to restore normal rhythm in PAF. Long-term persistent Afib is similar to PAF, however, it lasts for more than a year. Afib is characterized by excessively rapid and irregular heartbeats from the upper chambers, which typically exceed 400 beats per minute. Atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular response (RVR) occurs in some instances of Afib.
Long-Standing Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Long-term persistent atrial fibrillation (LSPAF) is a kind of cardiac arrhythmia that causes the atria, the upper chambers of the heart, to tremble and pulse erratically. It is the most prevalent rhythm abnormality in the world, and it may cause severe symptoms as well as major health issues such as stroke and heart failure. The longer a person suffers from AF, the more difficult it is to reestablish a normal heart rhythm.
AFib may not be stopped with medication or therapy such as electrical cardioversion. To restore your normal heart rhythm, doctors can employ another type of treatment, such as ablation that burns specific portions of the heart's electrical circuitry.
Permanent (Chronic) Atrial Fibrillation
Permanent (Chronic) Atrial Fibrillation is a disorder in which aberrant electrical impulses fire in the atria, overriding the heart's natural pacemaker and resulting in a highly irregular pulse rhythm. The reason is unknown, although it appears to affect particular categories of people, including the elderly and those suffering from long-term diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, or obesity.
In conditions with diagnostic doubt, such as chronic persistent atrial fibrillation, 24-hour (or even seven-day) Holter monitoring or an event recorder may be necessary.
People with persistent A-fib may suffer no symptoms at all or a mix of the following: palpitations, shortness of breath, exhaustion, chest discomfort, dizziness, and stroke.
Valvular and Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation
AFib induced by two separate reasons is referred to as valvular AFib and nonvalvular AFib.
Atrial fibrillation caused by a cardiac valve condition, such as a narrowed or leaky valve, or valve repair or replacement, is referred to as valvular atrial fibrillation (VAF). Nonvalvular AFib is AFib induced by something other than the heart, such as excessive blood pressure or stress.
Acute Onset Atrial Fibrillation
Acute Onset AFib is fast, with an erratic pulse that appears and disappears swiftly. It normally goes away in 24 to 48 hours. Age, cardiovascular disease, alcohol misuse, diabetes, and lung illness are all potential causes of Acute Onset Fibrillation.
Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation
Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation is the most common complication of cardiovascular surgery. It increases the risk of heart failure and cerebral infarction, a brain injury caused by a blood clot that blocks blood flow in your brain.
Causes of Atrial Fibrillation
Various factors can cause atrial fibrillation (AFib), and in many cases, it is a result of multiple contributing factors. The cause of AFib in some persons is uncertain. This is referred to as lone AFib. AFib is usually caused by damage to the heart's electrical system caused by another health problem, such as:
1. A pulmonary embolism is a blockage of a pulmonary artery.
2. Congenital heart disease (birth malformations in the heart)
3. A heart attack, heart failure, cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease, or valvular heart disease
4. Cardiovascular surgery, such as bypass surgery
5. Pericarditis (inflammation of the membrane that surrounds the heart)
6. Pneumonia or other illnesses can cause stress.
7. Thyroid issues, particularly an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
8. Use of certain drugs, such as decongestants and diet tablets
9. Caffeine, cigarettes, excessive alcohol consumption, and some illicit substances are all stimulants.
Risk Factors of Atrial Fibrillation
Like causes there are various risk factors that increase your chances of having AFib and with different complications. Some risk factors of AFib are:
1. Age: Chances of getting AFib rises with Age especially when a person is over the age of 60.
2. Heredity: Also being a hereditary condition, people can get AFib from their parents or someone close to the gene pool.
3. Heart Disease: Being a condition that affects the heart, the risk of Afib only increases with heart illness. Heart issues like the following raise your chances of AFib:
Coronary artery disease
Heart valve disease
Rheumatic heart disease
Heart failure
Weakened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy)
Heart birth defects
Inflamed membrane or sac around the heart (pericarditis)
4. Sick Sinus Syndrome: Our heartbeats are controlled by a small group of cells called sinus nodes. Any complications to these cells can cause the heart's electrical signals to misfire and fluctuate heartbeats.
5. High Blood Pressure: The most prevalent symptom associated with AFib is high blood pressure. It can cause the atria, or top chambers of your heart, to expand, making it work harder.
6. Lung Diseases: Lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema, or a blood clot in your lung (pulmonary embolism) are known to boost the risk of AFib.
7. Smoking & Drinking: Smoking, Drinking, or taking any drugs that affect the beating speed of the heart can increase the risk of AFib
8. Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism is a condition where a thyroid gland is overactive. During this event, thyroid glands speed up everything that’s happening in our body including, the heartbeat; thus the AFib
9. Obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome: Conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome are the most common type of health condition that can give birth to AFib.
Along with these other conditions that increase risk factors of AFib are sleep apnea, infections caused by a virus, Medication, and others
Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation
Although it is a common disease, Atrial Fibrillation often doesn’t show any symptoms at all and the illness is only discovered via physical testing. Others may exhibit one or more of the following symptoms:Preventions of Atrial Fibrillation
While Afib caused by genetic and hereditary can only be controlled, almost every other type of AFib can be prevented. A healthy lifestyle can lower the risk of heart disease and potentially prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some fundamental heart-healthy recommendations:
- Control hypertension, cholesterol, and diabetes.
- Not using tobacco or smoke.
- Consume a diet low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise for at least 30 minutes most days of the week.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Keep a healthy weight.
Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation
The aims of atrial fibrillation treatment are to reset the heartbeat, regulate it, and avoid blood clots. The following factors influence treatment:
How long have you had AFib?
Your signs and symptoms.
The underlying cause of the irregular heartbeat.
Treatment for atrial fibrillation may include:
Medicine.
Cardioversion (used to restore the heart rhythm)
Catheter procedures or surgery.
When to seek medical attention ?
Make an appointment for a health examination if you experience signs of atrial fibrillation. You may be sent to a cardiologist, a specialist who specializes in heart disorders.
Seek medical attention right away if you are experiencing chest discomfort. Chest discomfort may indicate that you are suffering a heart attack.
