When your heart is beating normally, you probably rarely think about it. But when it beats too fast, too slowly or erratically, it can impact your health in significant ways. That’s the case with atrial fibrillation, a type of heart rhythm disorder.
Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, causes the heart to beat abnormally. This happens when the heart’s upper and lower chambers aren’t working together and get out of sync.
This can cause dizziness, fatigue or a feeling of fluttering in the chest, but it can also lead to severe and even life-threatening complications. Learn more about how to prevent and manage AFib.
Risks Associated with Atrial Fibrillation
AFib requires treatment to lower the risk of serious complications like stroke, heart failure and cognitive decline.
Stroke
When your heart works normally, it pushes blood from one chamber to another. Atrial fibrillation causes an abnormal contraction of the heart’s upper chambers. These irregular heartbeats don’t push all of the blood from the atria into the ventricles.
This causes blood to pool in the atria, which increases the risk of blood clots. These clots can travel from the heart to other parts of the body, sometimes leading to stroke. According to the American Heart Association, people with AFib are up to five times more likely to have a stroke than those who don’t have it.
Heart Failure
Heart failure happens when the heart can’t pump blood efficiently. Atrial fibrillation causes the heart to beat erratically, leading to abnormal heart function.
Heart failure caused by (or made worse by) AFib can cause a variety of symptoms. Because blood pools in the atria, it can sometimes move backward into the pulmonary veins, leading to fluid in the lungs. This fluid buildup causes:
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Reduced stamina
- Edema in the lower extremities
- Weight gain
Cognitive Decline and Dementia
What’s the connection between atrial fibrillation and the brain? Research shows that the irregular blood flow caused by AFib and the increased risk of blood clots can lead to abnormal brain function. Strokes and impaired brain blood flow can raise the risk of memory loss, cognitive decline and dementia.
When it comes to the brain, AFib treatment makes a big difference. A 2023 study found that those with untreated atrial fibrillation had nearly a 50% higher risk of mild cognitive impairment than those without atrial fibrillation or those in whom the condition was treated.
Impact on Your Quality of Life
Atrial fibrillation doesn’t always cause symptoms. However, some people may experience:
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Faintness
- Fatigue when exercising and in general
- Fluttering in the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Weakness
Occasionally, AFib goes away on its own, but it often lingers and recurs, causing a diminished quality of life. Over time, bouts of atrial fibrillation may last longer and happen more frequently.
AFib Management and Prevention
Treatment can reduce symptoms and prevent serious complications. If you’ve been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, a cardiologist or electrophysiologist can recommend a treatment plan specific to your needs.
Treatment for AFib may include:
- Healthy lifestyle habits, including regular exercise, a heart-healthy diet, stress management, weight loss and smoking cessation
- Decreasing alcohol intake
- Medications to prevent clots, such as blood thinners or anticoagulants
- Measures to keep the heart in normal rhythm including catheter ablation and antiarrhythmic medications
- Medications to slow the heart, which may include beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, or other heart rhythm drugs to slow the heart
In cases where patients have been in Afib for many years a combined hybrid ablation procedure involving heart surgery and catheter ablation can help the heart return to normal rhythm
In cases refractory to the above measures or patients with very slow heart rhythms, the placement of a pacemaker can be beneficial.
Heart and Vascular Care at University Health
A medical provider can help you find the right treatment or combination of treatments to alleviate AFib and protect your health. Learn more about heart care at University Health.
