What is atrial fibrillation (AFib) and how can you spot it?
Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is the most common heart rhythm disorder in the world, affecting millions of people. In fact, nearly 1 in 4 people will experience AFib in their lifetime. But what exactly is AFib, and how do you know if you might have it?
Understanding AFib
AFib happens when the heart's electrical system gets out of sync. Normally, your heart beats in a steady rhythm, but in AFib, the upper chambers of the heart (called the atria) beat irregularly and too quickly. This can cause a number of symptoms, and if left untreated, it can lead to more serious health problems, like strokes or heart failure.
Tufts Medicine electrophysiologist Guy Rozen, MD, Director of the Tufts Medical Center Electrophysiology Laboratories and the Tufts Medical Center Atrial Fibrillation Program, explains, “AFib is a type of arrhythmia, or an abnormal heart rhythm. It’s characterized by rapid and irregular electrical activity in the upper chambers of the heart. This can cause a fast, irregular heartbeat and lead to serious issues, including blood clots that can cause strokes, or a weakened heart that leads to heart failure.”
Who is at risk for AFib?
While AFib can affect anyone, there are certain risk factors that make people more likely to develop it. These include:
- Age: The risk increases with age, especially after 60.
- High blood pressure: Uncontrolled high blood pressure can increase the risk.
- Heart disease: People with other heart conditions, like coronary artery disease, are more prone to AFib.
- Family history: If someone in your family has AFib, you might be more likely to develop it.
- Lifestyle factors: Smoking, heavy drinking or being overweight can increase your risk.
What are the signs and symptoms of AFib?
AFib doesn't always come with obvious signs, but when it does, the symptoms can vary. Some common ones include:
- Heart palpitations (a feeling of a rapid or irregular heartbeat)
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Fatigue or feeling tired easily
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
In some cases, you might not feel any symptoms at all. But whether you notice symptoms or not, if you're at risk for AFib, it’s important to talk to your doctor.
How is AFib treated?
If you’re diagnosed with AFib, there are a number of treatments to help manage it. Dr. Rozen explains, “The goal of treatment is to prevent AFib from coming back, and that can involve lifestyle changes, medications, and sometimes procedures.”
One of the most common treatments is medication to control the heart’s rhythm or to prevent blood clots. For some patients, more advanced treatments are needed. These include:
- Cardioversion: This is a procedure where a low-level electrical shock is used to reset your heart to a normal rhythm.
- Ablation: This procedure uses thin catheters to deliver energy to the heart tissue, stopping the abnormal electrical signals that cause AFib.
New advances in AFib treatment: Pulse Field Ablation
Thanks to new technology, treatments for AFib are becoming safer and more effective. For example, at MelroseWakefield Hospital, doctors are using a new type of Pulsed Field Ablation. This procedure, which was FDA-approved last year, delivers quick, high-energy pulses directly to the heart tissue responsible for AFib.
Dr. Rozen explains, “This technique uses a three-dimensional mapping system and special catheters that provide real-time images from inside the heart. This allows us to perform the procedure safely and effectively, without using radiation.”
Are ablations safe?
Ablation procedures are considered safe, with low risks of complications. In fact, they have helped millions of people with AFib live longer, healthier lives. For many patients, these procedures can offer significant relief from symptoms and reduce the risk of more serious health issues down the road.
If you’re living with AFib or think you might be at risk, talk to your doctor about which treatment might be best for you. With the right care and treatment, people with AFib can lead full, active lives.
