Have you ever felt like your heart was beating fast or irregularly? Do you feel like a fish is struggling inside your chest or a butterfly is fluttering? Don't just dismiss these things as random. This could be a serious condition related to your heart's rhythm. Today we're talking about one such condition, Atrial Fibrillation, or AFib as we all know it.
Simply put, what is Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)?
Okay, let's make this very simple. Your heart has four main chambers. The two upper chambers are called the atria , and the two lower chambers are called the ventricles . Normally, these chambers contract in a rhythmic manner, according to a signal from the heart's natural electrical system. That is, the upper chambers (the atria) contract and pump blood into the lower chambers (the ventricles). Then the lower chambers contract and pump that blood throughout the body. This is what we feel as our heartbeat.
But something different happens to someone with AFib. Instead of an orderly electrical signal coming from one place to the upper chambers of the heart (atria), a lot of chaotic, rapid electrical signals start coming from many places at the same time.
Imagine what would happen if, instead of one conductor in an orchestra, ten conductors were conducting the music at once. The musicians wouldn't know who to listen to or what rhythm to play. The whole music would be a mess, wouldn't it? That's what happens to the upper chambers of the heart in AFib.
Because of these chaotic signals, the atria start to quiver instead of contracting properly. As a result, they are unable to properly pump blood into the lower chambers. The lower chambers (cells) that respond to these chaotic signals from the upper chambers also start to beat irregularly and rapidly. We feel the beating of these lower chambers as a heartbeat. So it also becomes irregular and rapid.
What are the symptoms of someone with AFib?
Not everyone with AFib may have symptoms, but most people will experience one or more of the following symptoms:
| Symptom | How does it feel? (How it feels) |
|---|---|
| Heart palpitations (fast or irregular heartbeat) | Feeling like a butterfly is fluttering in your chest, like a fish is struggling, or like your heart is suddenly beating faster. |
| Extreme Fatigue | Excessive tiredness and fatigue for no reason. |
| Dizziness / Lightheadedness | Feeling dizzy, lightheaded. |
| Fainting / Syncope | Suddenly losing consciousness and falling. |
| Shortness of Breath / Dyspnea | The pain is felt even when walking a little or doing normal work. |
| Chest Pain / Angina | Feeling of tightness, pressure, or pain in the chest. |
Is AFib a condition to be afraid of?
Yes. AFib is a serious condition that you should definitely be concerned about. It's serious whether you have symptoms or not. Because when the heart rhythm is disrupted, blood can pool inside the heart, especially in the atria, and blood clots are more likely to form.
If a blood clot breaks loose and gets stuck in a blood vessel leading to the brain, it can cause a stroke . It can also weaken the heart over time, leading to conditions like heart failure . So if you have symptoms of AFib, see your doctor right away.
Seek medical help immediately!
If the following happens to you, don't delay. Call 1990 Ambulance Service immediately or go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital:
* If you experience severe chest pain .
* If it is very difficult to breathe .
* If you lose consciousness or feel like losing consciousness.
What are the causes and risk factors for AFib?
There is no single cause for AFib. Several causes and risk factors may contribute to it.
Main reasons
- Other heart conditions: If you have already had a heart attack, heart valve disease, heart failure, or coronary artery disease, your risk of AFib is higher.
- Other medical conditions: Conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, chronic kidney disease, and obstructive sleep apnea can lead to AFib.
- Genetic factors: AFib tends to run in families, meaning there is a genetic influence (`genetic variants`).
- Heart surgery: Some people can develop AFib even after having heart surgery for another reason.
Other factors that increase risk
- Aging: The risk of developing AFib gradually increases after the age of 65.
- Excessive alcohol consumption: Drinking more than the recommended amount of alcohol, especially binge drinking, significantly increases the risk of AFib.
- Lack of physical exercise: Not getting enough daily exercise is also a risk factor.
- Excessive exercise: Don't be surprised, too much of anything is not good, and even hours of strenuous exercise a day over many years can increase the risk of AFib in some people.
How does a doctor accurately diagnose AFib?
When you go to see a doctor, they will ask about your symptoms and examine you. The main test to confirm AFib is an ECG (Electrocardiogram) .
- ECG (EKG) test: This is a recording of your heart's electrical activity. The doctor can tell if your heart rhythm is irregular or if you have AFib.
In addition, the doctor may recommend several other tests.
- Blood tests: Check things like thyroid hormone levels and kidney function.
- Echocardiogram (Echo): This is like a scan of the heart. It helps to get a better understanding of the size of the heart's chambers, the function of the valves, and the heart's pumping ability.
- Holter Monitor: Sometimes AFib is not always there. It comes and goes. In such cases, a small device that is attached to your body for 24 or 48 hours continuously records your ECG. This monitors your heart rhythm while you are doing your normal household chores.
What are the stages of AFib?
AFib is a condition that can get worse over time, so doctors have divided it into several stages.
Stage 1: At risk for AFib
These people don't have AFib, but they do have risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.
Stage 2: Pre-AFib
These people don't have AFib yet. But ECG or Echo tests show small changes in the heart. These indicate a higher risk of developing AFib.
Stage 3: AFib status (AFib)
The moment an ECG confirms AFib. This is also divided into several parts.
- Paroxysmal AFib: AFib occurs and usually resolves on its own without treatment, usually within 7 days (often within 24-48 hours).
- Persistent AFib: AFib lasts for more than 7 days and requires treatment to stop it.
- Long-standing persistent AFib: AFib lasts for more than a year.
- Successful AFib ablation: AFib is controlled after surgery or other treatment.
Stage 4: Permanent AFib
At this point, the patient and doctor decide together that they will not attempt to reverse the AFib condition. The focus is on controlling the heart rate and preventing blood clots.
What are the treatments for AFib?
There are three main goals of AFib treatment:
1. Controlling the heart rate.
2. Restoring the heart rhythm.
3. Preventing complications such as stroke.
There are several treatment methods for this.
1. Lifestyle Changes
This is the foundation.
- Maintaining a healthy weight: If you are obese, it is essential to lose weight.
- Limit alcohol and avoid smoking: These increase the risk and symptoms of AFib.
- Regular exercise: Engage in exercises that are appropriate for you, as advised by your doctor.
- Controlling diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes: It is very important to properly control these diseases.
2. Medication
The doctor may prescribe several types of medication depending on your condition.
- Heart rate control medications: These help to slow down the heart rate (e.g. `Metoprolol`, `Diltiazem`).
- Medicines that control the heart rhythm: These help to return the irregular rhythm to a normal rhythm (`sinus rhythm`) (e.g. `Amiodarone`).
- Anticoagulants / Blood Thinners: This is very important . These drugs are prescribed to reduce the risk of stroke. `Warfarin` is an old drug. Newer drugs (`DOACs`) like `Apixaban` and `Rivaroxaban` are also widely used now. Never stop these drugs or change the dosage without your doctor's advice.
3. Ablation treatment (Ablation for AFib)
If AFib is difficult to control with medication, your doctor may suggest this treatment.
- Catheter Ablation: In this, a thin tube (catheter) is inserted through a blood vessel in the groin into the heart to locate the areas in the heart that are sending irregular electrical signals that cause AFib and then deactivate them using heat or extreme cold.
- Maze Procedure: This is done with open-heart surgery. Small incisions are made in the atria of the heart to create a pattern that stops the irregular electrical signals from traveling.
4. Other Procedures
- Cardioversion: A procedure that quickly restores the heart's rhythm, either in an emergency or planned manner, by delivering an electrical shock to the chest or by administering medication.
- Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Closure: A small device is inserted to close off the small sac-like part of the heart where blood clots are most likely to form. This may be suitable for people who cannot take blood-thinning medications.
How to live with AFib? Can it be completely cured?
Treatments can stop AFib from occurring or restore the rhythm. But AFib is a lifelong condition that cannot be cured . Even if symptoms go away after treatment, they can come back. That's why it's important to stay in touch with your doctor, get regular checkups, and take your medications exactly as prescribed.
When it comes to life expectancy for someone with AFib, it's true that some studies have shown that people with AFib may have a slightly shorter life expectancy than the general population. But that's just a statistic. If you work with your doctor, make lifestyle changes, take your medications properly, and manage this condition well, you too can live a long, healthy life.
Take-Home Message
- Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is a serious condition in which the heart beats irregularly. Don't ignore it as just another thing.
- If you have symptoms like chest pain, extreme fatigue, or dizziness, be sure to see a doctor.
- Severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, or loss of consciousness is an emergency. Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- The main risk of AFib is stroke. To prevent this, use the medications prescribed exactly as prescribed.
- With lifestyle changes, medications, and other treatments if necessary, AFib can be well managed and you can live a normal life.
- Your doctor knows your condition best. Always consult with him or her and follow his or her advice.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න