December 6, 2019
Generally, when someone says their heart “skipped a beat,” they mean they were excited or possibly scared for a moment. But, for millions of people, an irregular heart rhythm isn’t just a figure of speech; it’s a real medical condition and one that could prove dangerous if the proper precautions are not taken.
When it comes arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation (AFib), is by far the most common form, affecting millions of Americans. The condition occurs when there are erratic electrical signals between the upper chambers of the heart, or atria. These signals confuse the heart’s natural rhythm, causing the atria to squeeze too quickly. As a result, the heart fibrillates, or quivers, and can ultimately lead to some very serious and even life-threatening complications. AFib patients have a risk of death from cardiovascular complications that is double that of the general population and a stroke risk that is five times higher.
AFib can affect anyone, but there are certain risk factors that can place patients at an increased risk. If you have any of the following, your odds of developing the condition may be higher than normal:
If you are at risk for AFib, you may be wondering what can be done to keep it at bay. While you may not be able to affect some risk factors such as age or family history, there are others that you can certainly reduce through a healthy lifestyle. In short, if it’s bad for your heart, it may contribute to AFib. This means that you can positively influence your risk by making changes such as:
Atrial fibrillation is a serious heart condition that patients often overlook. If you are at risk for AFib or have been diagnosed, carefully monitoring and managing your heart health is of critical importance. To learn more about ways to safeguard your cardiovascular health, contact Cardiovascular Institute of the South, and schedule an appointment with one of our highly-skilled physicians in your area.