Do you sometimes feel like your chest is suddenly pounding, like someone is running inside? Or do you feel like a flock of butterflies are flying around inside your chest, or a strange feeling like a fish is struggling? If these things are accompanied by things like fatigue and dizziness, don't just ignore them and think that they are normal. These could be signs of something wrong with your heart rhythm. Today we are talking about Atrial Fibrillation, or AFib for short, a condition in which the heart rhythm is disturbed and is seen in many people.
Simply put, what is Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)?
Okay, let's understand this very simply. Our heart is an amazing pump. It has to work systematically, in a rhythm. This rhythm is controlled by a natural electrical system in our heart. To be precise, it is because of the electrical signals coming from this system that the heart muscles contract at the right time and pump blood.
Now imagine a large orchestra. When there is only one conductor, everyone looks at him and plays in exactly the same rhythm. The music is very beautiful. But what happens if ten conductors come at once and start waving their hands in different ways? The players don't know who to listen to. The whole music becomes chaotic, doesn't it?
AFib is something like that. There is something wrong with the system that sends electrical signals to the two upper chambers of the heart (we call these the atria). Instead of one signal, many fast, chaotic signals start coming from different places at the same time. Because of this, the two upper chambers of the heart don't contract properly, but rather quiver. This is what we call Fibrillation .
When the two upper chambers don't work properly, blood doesn't pump properly to the two chambers below them (ventricles). Also, these chaotic signals from above cause the two lower chambers to beat chaotically and very quickly. What we feel as a heartbeat in our chest is the beating of these two lower chambers. So, this is why a person with AFib has an irregular heartbeat, sometimes very fast.
What are the symptoms of AFib? Do you experience these too?
Not everyone with AFib has the same symptoms. Some people may not feel anything at all. But there are some common symptoms. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Symptom | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Heart palpitations | Feeling like butterflies are flying in your chest, like a fish is struggling, or like your heart is suddenly racing or beating very hard. |
| Extreme Fatigue | Feeling extremely tired for no reason. This condition occurs when the heart is not working properly, preventing the body from getting the oxygen and nutrients it needs. |
| Dizziness or Lightheadedness | An irregular heartbeat can reduce the amount of blood that reaches the brain, which can cause dizziness. |
| Fainting (Syncope) | In some severe cases, blood flow to the brain can be severely impaired, leading to loss of consciousness. |
| Shortness of Breath (Dyspnea) | When the heart can't pump blood efficiently, that blood can pool in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. |
| Chest Pain (Chest Pain - Angina) | Because the heart beats too fast, the heart muscle may not get enough oxygen, which can cause chest tightness or pain. |
The important thing is, whether you experience these symptoms or not, AFib is not a condition to be taken lightly, as it can lead to serious complications.
Is AFib a serious condition? Why should we care?
Yes, AFib is a serious condition. The main risk is stroke .
It happens like this: When the two upper chambers of the heart don't contract properly and quiver, blood starts to pool inside them. Like water that can't flow. Blood that pools in one place can easily form blood clots. If a blood clot breaks free, travels through a blood vessel, and gets stuck in a small blood vessel in the brain, it can cut off blood flow to the brain and cause a stroke.
Additionally, when the heart works irregularly and rapidly in this way for a long time, the heart muscle can weaken and even lead to heart failure . This means that the heart is unable to pump the amount of blood the body needs.
Therefore, if you have symptoms of AFib, it is very important to see your doctor as soon as possible.
This is an emergency! If you have these symptoms, seek immediate treatment.
- If you have severe chest pain
- If it is very difficult to breathe
- If you lose consciousness or feel like you are about to lose consciousness
In such a situation, immediately call 1990 or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) . Time is of the essence.
Why do we get AFib? What are the risk factors?
There is no single cause of AFib. There are several possible causes. Essentially, anything that damages the heart's tissue or its electrical system can lead to AFib.
Main causes and risk factors:
- Other heart conditions: You are more likely to develop AFib if you already have conditions like heart failure, coronary artery disease, or heart valve disease.
- High Blood Pressure: Uncontrolled high blood pressure can damage the heart in the long term.
- Aging: The risk of developing AFib increases significantly after the age of 65.
- Obesity: Excess body weight puts extra strain on the heart.
- Diabetes Mellitus: Diabetes is also a major factor affecting heart health.
- Hyperthyroidism: Increased thyroid hormone levels can increase heart rate and cause AFib.
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea: This condition also puts pressure on the heart.
- Excessive alcohol consumption: Drinking large amounts of alcohol continuously or at once is a strong cause of AFib.
- Lack of exercise: A lifestyle with little physical activity is also a risk.
- Genetic Factors (Genetic Variants): If someone in your family has AFib, you may be at risk of developing it too.
- Heart surgery: AFib can temporarily occur after heart surgery for another reason.
How does a doctor diagnose AFib?
When you go to the doctor, he or she will ask you about your symptoms and do a physical exam. Then, they may run several tests to confirm AFib and find the cause.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG): This is the most important test. Small sensors are placed on your chest, arms, and legs to record the electrical activity of your heart. This can tell you for sure if your heart rhythm is irregular or if you have AFib.
- Echocardiogram (Echo): This is like a scan of the heart. It uses sound waves to get a good picture of the heart's size, shape, valve function, and how it pumps blood.
- Holter Monitor: Sometimes AFib is not always there. It comes and goes. In such cases, it may not be detected by a regular ECG. In this case, your doctor will give you a small ECG machine that you can wear for 24 or 48 hours. This can monitor your heart's activity while you go about your daily activities.
- Blood Tests: Blood tests are done to check for other conditions that may be affecting AFib, such as thyroid problems and kidney function.
How is AFib treated?
There are two main goals in treating AFib:
1. Preventing stroke.
2. Controlling heart rate and restoring normal rhythm.
Treatment options depend on your age, the severity of your symptoms, and other medical conditions.
| Treatment method | Description |
|---|---|
| Lifestyle changes | Eating a healthy diet, controlling weight, avoiding alcohol and smoking, exercising daily, and controlling high blood pressure and diabetes are essential to any treatment. |
| Medications |
|
| Cardioversion | This involves administering a controlled electric shock to the chest to immediately restore the heart's rhythm. Sometimes this can also be done with medication. |
| Catheter Ablation | This is a special procedure. A thin tube (catheter) is passed through a vein in the leg to the heart, where it identifies the areas of heart tissue that are sending out the wrong electrical signals that cause AFib and destroys them with heat or extreme cold. It's like cutting and removing a faulty electrical wire. |
| Other surgeries | Surgery, such as the Maze procedure , which removes tissue that is causing AFib, may be performed during other heart surgery. |
How to live with AFib?
Don't be afraid or panic if you find out you have AFib. It's a manageable condition. The most important thing is to follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
- Take your medication on time: Don't miss a single day of your medication, especially blood thinners.
- Check your pulse: Ask your doctor to teach you how to check your pulse in your wrist. Always check to see if it is irregular or fast.
- A healthy lifestyle: This is very important. Eating a diet low in salt, oil, and sugar, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, and exercising daily can help a lot in managing AFib.
- See your doctor regularly: Go to the clinics on scheduled days. Tell your doctor about any changes or new symptoms you notice.
AFib is not something to be feared, but something to be managed. With the right treatment and lifestyle changes, you too can live a healthy, active life.
Take-Home Message
- Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is a condition in which the heart rhythm becomes irregular and rapid.
- Abnormal chest tightness, extreme fatigue, dizziness, and difficulty breathing may be the main symptoms.
- The main and most serious complication of AFib is stroke, so don't take this condition lightly.
- High blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and aging are the main risk factors for this .
- If you have symptoms of AFib, see a doctor immediately. It can be easily diagnosed with an ECG test.
- With medication, lifestyle changes, and some special treatments, AFib can be successfully managed and a healthy life can be achieved.
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