subject: The Risks Of Atrial Fibrillation And How To Manage Them [print this page] For cardiologists specializing in irregular heart rhythms, the most prevalent disorder is, also known as A-fib or afib. Heart patients suffering from afib will often feel exhausted and short of breath; their risk of stroke and heart damage is higher due to arrhythmias.
In a healthy heart, the hearts system creates the electrical impulses that maintain a natural rhythm. This means that blood circulates through the four chambers of the heart and out to the body successfully. When afib is taking place, disorganized electricity overcomes the organized impulses and thus the heart enters an irregular and often rapid rhythm.
Treating afib can be difficult. Options for cardiologists include:
Medications to lower the heart rate.
A cardioversion (electric shock) given while under sedation.
Catheter ablation (usinga catheter to burn small regions of the heart wall).
For many patients, medications can help. However, for some patients, Catheter ablation is the last remaining option. Patients are often reluctant to submit to the invasive procedure; however it works successfully for most afib patients.
According to recent data, afib affects well over 2 million Americans. Symptoms include tiredness and shortness of breath. Risks of afib increase with obesity, sleep apnea, and heart disease. afib comes and goes and thus it may not appear during a visit to the doctor. So the physician may ask the patient to wear a heart monitor. Its important to treat afib successfully because afib patients have an increased risk of stroke and other complications. A blood thinner may prove valuable; the heart is not able to pump as much blood as the body needs with afib.
Afib can affect women and men and becomes more prevalent with age.
Causes of afib include:
Heavy alcohol use (especially binge drinking)
Congestive heart failure
Coronary artery disease
Heart surgery
Heart valve disease
High blood pressure
Certain medications
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
An overactive Thyroid gland
Wake Forest Baptist Health is committed to quality care and has demonstrated this through advancements in cardiac treatment and recovery. OurHeart Center is home to one of the most experienced groups of cardiologists in the United States.
