Five things to know about atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation – commonly called AFib – is an irregular heart rhythm that can lead to shortness of breath, fatigue, and weakness. AFib increases the risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart failure. It can lower quality of life since it can make going for a walk, climbing the stairs or doing hobbies more difficult. Though it’s more common with increasing age, it shouldn’t be written off as just another sign of aging. Treatments can be effective, especially when started early.
Dilusha William, MD, a cardiac electrophysiologist at M Health Fairview explains the condition.
1. AFib is more than an irregular heartbeat.
AFib is the most common type of arrhythmia, or heart rhythm abnormality. It occurs when the atria – the upper chamber of the heart – go into a state of electrical chaos. When that happens, the atria don’t contract normally and the lower chambers of the heart, which are the main work chambers of the heart, beat irregularly and quickly.
“When that happens, the amount of blood flow the heart generates drops off by about 10 to 30 percent,” William said. “We can feel that as symptoms of palpitations, fatigue, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and dizziness.”
For some people, symptoms are mild. It can feel like the heart is skipping beat or like the heart is pounding. A pounding feeling is especially common with physical exertion like carrying a basket of laundry or rushing to catch the bus. A person with AFib might feel weak or gasp for air. And sometimes AFib has no noticeable symptoms – it may be caught during a wellness exam.
2. Early detection improves outcomes.
AFib can be difficult to diagnose in the early stages since it can come and go unpredictably. It can happen for a few minutes or hours then stop. Some people also think of fatigue and shortness of breath as a normal part of aging, so they don’t mention the symptoms to their healthcare providers.
“If you’re having palpitations, or all of a sudden feeling shorter of breath with activities that you otherwise could do without difficulty or you’re feeling more fatigued, those would be good reasons to talk to your doctor about a further evaluation,” William said. AFib is more successfully treated with early diagnosis, so mention it to your healthcare provider.
Your healthcare provider might rule out other conditions that might have similar symptoms. They might also suggest a wearable heart rhythm monitor to detect AFib. Increasingly, smartwatches are prompting people to see their healthcare providers when the devices detect an irregular heartbeat, William said.
3. Treatments can be very effective.
There isn’t a straightforward cure for atrial fibrillation, but treatments can very effectively suppress AFib and keep the heart beating normally. When AFib causes sustained rapid heart rates, heart failure can develop. Treatment include medications and ablation procedures. Discuss your options with a cardiac electrophysiologist, a type of cardiologist specializing in treating heart rhythm abnormalities.
Ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that creates small scars inside the upper chambers of the heart – the scarring blocks the source of irregular electrical signals that cause AFib, so the heart can beat normally.
“Ablation is a relatively quick, same-day procedure that takes about an hour to an hour and a half,” William said. “It gives us our best odds of atrial fibrillation freedom.” The next best option is antiarrhythmic medicine. These medications are often taken for life to help keep the heart rate steady. Both treatments reduce the risk of heart failure, blood clots, and stroke.
"Afib increases the risk of stroke because blood clots can form in the heart when the atria are not pumping effectively. These blood clots can travel to the brain where they block the blood flow," said M Health Fairview Cerebrovascular Director, Christopher Streib, MD. "Different blood thinners or surgical treatment may be the best option to reduce the risk of stroke. Optimal treatment depends upon a person's age, sex, and whether they have other health issues. I recommend talking to your primary care doctor or cardiologist to determine the best stroke prevention for you."
4. Lifestyle changes also help.
In addition to medication or ablation, experts recommend positive lifestyle changes to help keep the heart in a normal rhythm. Those include:
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Getting aerobic activity. That's any sort of exercise that elevates your heart rate, like a brisk walk or bike ride. Start gradually if you need to and work your way up to 150 minutes per week. Physical activity also helps release stress and improve sleep.
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Prioritizing sleep. Try to sleep 7 to 9 hours daily. If you have difficulty sleeping, get evaluated for sleep apnea, and follow treatment recommendations.
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Choosing a diet low in salt and saturated fats, which are mainly found in dairy and meat foods.
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Limiting caffeine and alcohol.
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Maintaining a healthy weight.
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Managing blood pressure and cholesterol.
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Quitting smoking.
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Finding healthy outlets for stress.
5. M Health Fairview is uniquely positioned to help.
The electrophysiology team at M Health Fairview has extensive expertise in managing AFib. Together with their experienced clinical partners, the team is uniquely positioned to educate their patients about atrial fibrillation and explore treatment options. The providers perform a high volume of atrial fibrillation ablations with teams experienced in safely and efficiently performing these procedures.
“We have a great team for taking people through the initial evaluation and then getting them through ablation or initiation of a rhythm controlling medication,” William said. “And then subsequent follow-up care as well.”
The cardiologists share a passion for helping people with atrial fibrillation lower their risk of heart disease and increase quality of life.
