Arrhythmia & AFib

The heart’s electrical system controls your heart rate, the number of beats per minute. Normally, your heart beats between 60 and 100 times per minute, circulating blood through its chambers and valves to the rest of the body. 

When the heart’s electrical system encounters an issue, it can lead to arrhythmia—causing the heart to beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. Everyday factors like caffeine, alcohol, or stress can cause temporary arrhythmias in healthy hearts. However, persistent arrhythmias should be evaluated by a cardiologist. 

Common Types of Arrhythmias 

• Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): The most common arrhythmia, characterized by a quivering or irregular heartbeat. 
• Supraventricular Tachycardia: A rapid heart rate originating above the heart’s ventricles. 
• Bradycardia: A slower-than-normal heart rate. 

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) disrupts the heart’s normal rhythm, causing the upper chambers (atria) to quiver instead of beating effectively. This disrupts blood flow to the lower chambers (ventricles) and increases the risk of blood clots, stroke, and heart failure. 

People of all ages, genders and races are at risk of developing AFib. In fact, the condition is becoming more and more common. While several million Americans have atrial fibrillation currently, health experts expect that number to rise significantly in the next decade.

While there’s no way to prevent every case of AFib, knowing your risk can help you talk with your doctor about ways to safeguard your health. You may be at a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation if:

• You’re of advanced age.
  While children can develop AFib in rare instances, the condition is much more likely as you get older.
  
• You have a family history of AFib.
  As with most conditions, your risk increases if an immediate family member has atrial fibrillation.
  
• You’re an athlete.
  This factor might seem odd, but AFib is actually common among those who are physically active. It’s triggered by a rapid heart rate called supraventricular tachycardia.
  
• You have chronic health issues.
  Your risk is higher if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, sleep apnea, or asthma.
  
• You have an underlying heart disease.
  This can include valve problems, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or a history of heart attack. Atrial fibrillation can also occur after heart surgery.
  
• You drink an excessive amount of alcohol.
  Drinking more than a moderate amount—one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men—increases your risk. But binge drinking is especially dangerous. That’s defined as having four or more drinks in a two-hour span if a woman, or five or more drinks in two hours if a man.

Oftentimes, there are no noticeable symptoms with AFib, or they may be intermittent/infrequent symptoms. In some cases, arrhythmias can be extremely dangerous, even an emergency. Because of this, it’s extremely important to work with your cardiologist if you experience any of the following or are at an increased risk of developing it. A few symptoms you may notice as a part of AFib, include:

• Fatigue (especially with activity)
• Elevated/racing heartbeat with no increase in activity
• Heart palpitations (Thumping, fluttering, flopping or pounding in the chest)
• Confusion
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Feeling sweaty
• Shortness of breath

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) significantly increases a person’s risk of stroke—by up to five times—with some individuals facing an even higher risk due to additional health conditions or risk factors. This elevated risk stems from how AFib affects the heart’s function. 

In a healthy heart, the left atrium contracts effectively, keeping blood flowing smoothly. However, AFib disrupts this normal rhythm, preventing the left atrium from contracting properly. As a result, blood can pool and remain static in the atrium. This stagnant blood increases the likelihood of clot formation. If a clot dislodges, it can travel through the bloodstream and block a vessel leading to the brain. Such a blockage, known as a stroke, can cause severe brain damage or even death. 

Blood thinners are prescribed to reduce the likelihood of clot formation, helping to lower the risk of life-threatening complications like stroke in patients with AFib.