Atrial Fibrillation

Some patients do not present with any symptoms and therefore may not realise when they are suffering from atrial fibrillation. For other patients, some of these symptoms may surface:

• Irregular heartbeat
• Palpitations (pounding of the heat, fluttering or an abnormally fast heartbeat)
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Feeling lightheaded

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Pre-existing heart disease or some damage to the heart's functions are primarily responsible for atrial fibrillation. Some of the causes include:

• High blood pressure
• Coronary artery disease
• Abnormal valves in the heart
• Congenital heart defects
• Heart attack or heart failure
• Various lung diseases, such as COPD
• Ageing
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Alcoholism
• Hyperthyroidism
• Chronic kidney disease
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Sick sinus syndrome

There is a higher prevalence of the disease among older individuals due to the natural process of ageing. Additionally, certain populations are also considered to be a higher risk for atrial fibrillation, mainly people of European descent as well as those suffering from sleep disorders such as sleep apnea. In some cases, atrial fibrillation has also been known to be connected with genetics.

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Prevention of this condition largely involves looking after oneself. This means leading a healthy lifestyle, looking after one's food habits and staying away from habits such as smoking and drinking. Regular checkups with a doctor can also help you monitor your heart health more closely, in order to prevent further complications.

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Individuals concerned about their heart health must not delay a visit to the doctor. If you have been feeling any of the above-mentioned symptoms like a fast heartbeat or lightheadedness lately, or have in the recent past, it is wise to get it checked by a doctor.

Doctors usually perform a physical exam along with asking you questions about your medical history and any symptoms you have experienced. A physical exam involves the checking of your pulse, blood pressure and breathing. Further tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG) can help understand the behaviour of the heart for a certain duration.

If none of these examinations shows the presence of atrial fibrillation, doctors may recommend further tests, such as wearing a portable heart monitor for a day or two, to be able to monitor the functioning of the heart for a longer period of time. Other tests include performing an echocardiogram (echo), a kind of ultrasound which may be able to shed more light on your heart's health.

Blood tests can also be recommended to check for thyroid function and blood sugar (blood sugar test) as well as underlying conditions which may be undiagnosed but may be the cause of atrial fibrillation.

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There are a few different ways, depending on the degree of the disorder, that atrial fibrillation can be treated in patients. These include:

• Medicines to regulate the heart rate and rhythm
• Blood thinners to prevent blood clots and reduce the chances of stroke
• Surgery: In severe cases, surgery is advised which can help the heart pump blood more efficiently
• A change in lifestyle, along with regular doses of medicines, can help set patients on the path to recovery

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