Since 1963, February has been designated as American Heart Month in order to build awareness of cardiovascular diseases and ways to prevent them. There are many disorders that can affect the blood flow to the heart, the function of the heart muscle and the heart valves.
There are also disorders that can affect the rhythm of the heart, in other words, the pattern in which the heart beats. One of the most common rhythm disturbances in the United States is Atrial Fibrillation.
What is Atrial Fibrillation?
The heart is made up of four chambers. The top chambers are called the atria and the bottom chambers are called the ventricles. The ventricles are the main pumping chambers of the heart. Atrial Fibrillation is a rhythm disturbance that originates in the atria, or the top chambers of the heart. It is a chaotic rhythm that can make the top chambers beat up to 600 times per minute. Fortunately there is a special tissue between the top and bottom chambers of the heart that does not allow the bottom chambers to beat quite that fast, however, the bottom chambers of the heart will beat more rapidly than usual and there will be no pattern. The pulse will be irregular.
What causes Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial Fibrillation can affect all age groups, but the likelihood of developing Atrial Fibrillation increases with age. Some studies show that 20 percent of people have had Atrial Fibrillation at least once by the time they reach their 70s. The hallmark of Atrial Fibrillation is a rapid and irregular pulse. People will often feel palpitation or a sense of their heart racing. People can also experience symptoms of fatigue and shortness of breath, particularly with exertion. They may also feel a sensation of dizziness or lightheadedness, but it rarely leads to fainting.
Fortunately, Atrial Fibrillation is not fatal, but it can cause significant problems if it is left untreated. If the heart is allowed to beat rapidly for prolonged periods of time, usually a few weeks or more, the heart muscle can weaken and a person can develop heart failure.
Also, with the right mix of additional risk factors, the blood can stagnate and form a clot because the top chambers of the heart are beating so rapidly. This could lead to a stroke if left untreated.
How is Atrial Fibrillation treated?
There are two treatment options available. One is restoration of the normal heart rhythm with either an electrical shock to the heart, with special medications, or with an invasive procedure, which is known as an ablation.
The other is controlling the heart rate with medications.
Lifestyle changes
Other than aging, the risk factors for developing Atrial Fibrillation are coronary artery disease and heart attacks, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and lung disease. To decrease the risk of developing Atrial Fibrillation, people should do their best to prevent these other entities. In general, prevention starts with leading a healthy lifestyle from a young age. You should never smoke, or if you currently smoke, you should quit. This will help prevent both lung disease and coronary artery disease. You should exercise for at least 2.5 hours a week, performing moderate aerobic activity. This does not have to be done all at once and can be broken down into periods of at least 10 minutes at a time. Moderate aerobic activity is defined as anything that makes you breathe heavier and gets your heart beating faster, such as walking rapidly. Exercise will help prevent obesity and high blood pressure, and will consequently help to prevent coronary artery disease and diabetes. Eating a healthy diet that is low in fat, cholesterol and sodium, will also help prevent obesity, high blood pressure, and consequently help prevent coronary artery disease and diabetes. By not smoking, eating healthy and exercising, you will also be preventing many other problems.
For more information please call Dr. Goodkin's ofifce at 603-773-9992.