Could it be Afib?
- Category: Blogs, Cardiology
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What is “a fib?” No, we are not talking about a little white lie. In healthcare, a fib (actually called AFib) is atrial fibrillation, an irregular and often rapid heart rate.
AFib is the most common irregular heart rhythm. A typical healthy heart rate is 60-100 beats per minute. In people with AFib, the heart rate may be 100-175 beats a minute. AFib can lead to stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications. More than 5 million Americans are living with AFib, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).
During atrial fibrillation, the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat irregularly. This can cause blood to pool and clot, increasing the risk for stroke. This is why patients with AFib often are put on blood thinners. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, AFib causes about one in seven strokes. These strokes tend to be more severe than strokes with other underlying causes.
Abnormalities or damage to the heart’s structure are the most common cause of atrial fibrillation. Health problems that can cause AFib include:
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart attack
- High blood pressure
- Lung diseases, including pneumonia
- Thyroid disease
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Viral infections
AFib may or may not cause symptoms. Common symptoms include heart palpitations, lack of energy, dizziness, chest discomfort, and shortness of breath. Many treatments are available for AFib, including lifestyle changes, medications, catheter-based procedures, and surgery. AFib “episodes” may be brief, with symptoms that come and go. It is possible to have an AFib event that resolves on its own or the condition may be persistent and require treatment, the AHA states.
Both children and adults can develop atrial fibrillation, though its likelihood increases with age. According to the AHA, the following conditions or lifestyle choices can increase the risk for AFib:
- Binge drinking
- Smoking
- Physical inactivity
- Obesity, being overweight
- Other chronic conditions (eg, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, asthma)
- Family history of AFib
