If your heart is not beating correctly, it can weaken your heart muscle and lead to heart failure, a life-threatening condition. In recognition of February as American Heart Month, learn the facts about “A-Fib”— one of the most common types of heart rhythm disorders — and what you can do about it.
What is ‘A-Fib’?
A-Fib — also known as atrial fibrillation — is an arrhythmia (rhythm disorder) that originates from the top chambers of the heart. For people with A-Fib, the top chambers can beat extremely fast at 400–500 times per minute. This essentially prevents the top chambers of the heart from contracting like they are supposed to. Instead, they “quiver” and prevent the blood from being squeezed into the bottom chambers of the heart. As blood does not move back and forth like it should, it can potentially cause clots to form in the heart. These blood clots can break off and cause strokes.
What are the warning signs of A-Fib? How would you know if you have it?
A-Fib can present in several ways. Usual symptoms include rapid and irregular heartbeat, palpitations, chest pain, dizziness and feeling fatigued easily. Some people lack the energy to do the things they can normally do without easily being fatigued. Also, some can develop heart failure.
What are the risk factors associated with A-Fib?
Typical risk factors are similar to those that can cause heart disease. This includes increasing age, diabetes, high blood pressure and a history of heart disease. Also, thyroid hormone-related problems, chronic lung problems and sleep apnea (commonly associated with obesity) can increase the risk.
Are certain ethnic populations at higher risk for A-Fib?
At this time, there is no clear evidence to support any specific ethnicity having a higher risk for A-Fib. However, older age does increase the risk for developing A-Fib.
Can people live long lives with A-Fib? Can you die from A-Fib?
A-Fib can shorten lifespan; there is some clinical data to support that assumption. There is currently a large clinical trial looking at this issue. Even though A-Fib does not directly result in death, it can aggravate existing medical conditions, such as heart failure, and can also result in fatal strokes.
Can you still exercise if you have A-Fib?
Yes. As long as the heart rate can be controlled, it is OK to exercise during A-Fib. However, it is very important to ensure the heart rate is adequately controlled with medications prior to starting an exercise program.
What kinds of treatments exist for A-Fib? Is there a cure?
Treatments include medications to control heart rates and also to keep patients out of A-Fib; ablation procedures that target the abnormal tissue and circuits to try to reduce A-Fib episodes and occasionally result in a cure; medications and procedures to reduce the risk for stroke; monitoring devices to assess the amount of A-Fib one is having over a long period of time; and also pacemakers to help with controlling heart rates.
What does IU Health offer for A-Fib?
IU Health offers a comprehensive program for both short- and long-term management of atrial fibrillation. We formulate a long-term strategy to not only treat A-Fib but also to offer all possible therapies that give you the best chance of maintaining regular rhythm and leading a normal life. We also participate in multi-center clinical trials and have some of the top leaders with the expertise to manage patients with this arrhythmia.
Dr. Gopi Dandamudi is the program director of the IU Health Atrial Fibrillation Center at IU Health Methodist Hospital.
IU Health is home to internationally recognized leaders in the treatment of heart rhythm disorders, like A-Fib — from medication to electrophysiology and surgical procedures. Backed by years of experience, our physicians offer high-quality, comprehensive care for the most common to the most complex conditions. For more information, visit iuhealth.org/cardiovascular.
