Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation, also called A-fib, is an irregular heart rhythm that originates from an upper chamber of the heart. A-fib is the most common irregular heart rhythm in adults and often results in a rapid heart rate. A-fib is of great concern because it can lead to clots forming in the heart and these clots may then travel to the brain and cause a stroke. People with A-fib are five times more likely to have a stroke than persons without this condition. The risk for a stroke from A-fib increases with age. There are several types of A-fib, some forms last for only a short period and typically stop on their own, while other types last for a longer period of time and may become permanent.

Many patients with A-fib do not have symptoms. Common symptoms that may occur with A-fib are listed below:

Symptoms of A-fib n Light headedness n Dizziness n Fatigue n Palpitations (sensation of a fast, pounding or irregular heartbeat) n Shortness of breath n Chest pain n Black-out/fainting spells (syncope)

RISK FACTORS AND causes of A-fib include the following: n Age > 50 years n Family history of A-fib n High blood pressure (hypertension) n Heart disease (birth defects involving the heart, prior heart surgery, heart failure, prior heart attack, blockages in the blood vessels of the heart) n Chronic lung diseases n Physical stress from surgery n Severe infections n Thyroid disease (typically an overactive thyroid gland) n Chronic kidney disease n Obesity n Sleep apnea (difficulty breathing when sleeping) n Moderate to heavy alcohol use n Smoking n Use of stimulants or caffeine

AN ELECTROCARDIOGRAM (EKG) is used to diagnose A-fib. Patients found to have A-fib will then undergo several other tests to help determine the cause for their A-fib. An echocardiogram (ECHO) is typically done in patients with A-fib to look for structural abnormalities in the heart. A-fib is treated using one or more of the following options: n Medications to get the heart rhythm to return to normal (antiarrhythmic medications) n Shock therapy (electrical cardioversion) to get the heart rhythm to return to normal Usually before doing this an ultrasound of the heart is performed to rule out clots in the heart that could migrate and cause a stroke when the heart starts beating normally n Procedures that destroy the tissue causing the abnormal heart rhythm, thus allowing the heart rhythm to return to normal n Medications to slow the heart rate. These are typically given along with blood thinners

LIVING A HEALTHY lifestyle reduces the chances for heart disease and thus makes it less likely to develop A-fib. The following strategies are recommended to help prevent A-fib: n Manage stress levels n Avoid excessive intake of alcohol or caffeine n Abstain from smoking n Maintain a healthy diet and healthy weight n Exercise regularly

—Submitted by Marshaleen N. Henriques King, MD, MSc, FACP, FCCP Health Ministry

References

https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/atrial_fibrillation. htm; https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/atrial-fibrillation/symptoms-causes/syc20350624 https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/atrialfibrillation/what-is-atrial-fibrillation-afib-or-af https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16765atrial-fibrillation-afib https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/atrial-fibrillation https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditionsand-diseases/atrial-fibrillation

CORRECTION: In our March 2023 LIU, the article titled “Colon Cancer: Squash the stigma and promote screening” —An interview with Sis. Kim Mobley on page 12 paragraph 2 contained the following misinformation that we would like to correct at this time. Please note: The proper spelling of Shundra Seay Massey and her mother, Rosonja Massey names. We apologize for this discrepancy.