Atrial
Fibrillation or A-fib is one of the most common problems with the heartbeat’s
rate or rhythm with the basic cause being disorganized signals that make the
ticker’s two upper chambers squeeze very fast and out of sync. The heart walls
quiver or fibrillate because of their contraction. Any sort of damage to the ticker’s
electrical system can lead to A-fib which often results from conditions that
affect the ticker. Other things may be at play as well in at least one of every
ten A-fib cases. It also happens sometimes that the healthcare provider can’t
figure out what’s causing A-fib. Knowing the triggers can enable you to control
your A-fib and avoid having an episode.
Risk Factors
that Lead to Atrial Fibrillation:
Age- The odds go up with age, particularly
after age 60 which can be attributed to the likelihood of getting heart disease
and other conditions with age.
Heart
Disease- There are
no two ways about other heart issues raising the chance of having Atrial
Fibrillation since the condition is a problem with your ticker. The heart
issues include coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, heart failure,
rheumatic heart disease, weakened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), heart birth
defects, pericarditis (inflamed membrane or sac around the heart).
Heart
Attack (Myocardial
Infarction)- A-fib can occur when the artery that supplies blood to the atria
is blocked, that can damage the atrial tissue. Remember, A-fib doesn’t cause
MI.
Heart
Surgery- A-fib is
the most common complication that will happen to three or four out of every ten
people recovering from a heart surgery.
Genes- A part of the cause of A-fib is in
the genes that one gets from their parents at birth. The risk is higher for you
if someone in your close family had or has it.
Hyperthyroidism- It means an overactive thyroid
gland that speeds up everything in the body, including your ticker.
Alcohol- Binge drinking may be a trigger for
some people, conversely, even a modest amount can trigger Atrial Fibrillation
for some.
Stimulants- Stimulants such as caffeine,
cigarettes, etc. can set off A-fib with caffeine probably affecting more if you
don’t generally drink it.
Symptoms:
An
individual might feel palpitations in the ticker- a flutter in the chest, pain
and pressure in the chest, confused, dizzy, short of breath, sweaty, tired,
weak. Although not everyone with the condition has a racing or pounding
heartbeat. Your age, what caused the A-fib and how much it affects the ticker’s
ability to pump are a few things that can affect whether you’ve symptoms and regardless
of its severity.
Seek medical
attention with immediate effect if your ticker doesn’t go back into a normal
rhythm within a few minutes, or the symptoms worsen. Call 911 right away if you
have symptoms like nausea; cold sweat; drooping face; weakness in arm; trouble
speaking; pain or pressure in the middle of your chest that lasts more than a
few minutes; pain that
spreads to your jaw, neck, arms, back, or stomach- as these could be signs of a
heart attack or stroke. Doctors will perform tests to check your heartbeat or
the electrical impulses in your ticker to determine whether you have A-fib. If
you do have an irregular heartbeat, there are treatments available to bring it
back into a normal rhythm. Doctors may also recommend medication to lower your chance of having a
stroke.
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