When the heart is functioning properly, the atria or the upper chambers of the heart move blood to the ventricles, which are its two lower chambers. These then send out blood to the other parts of the body. The lack of coordination between the working of the upper valves and lower valves of the heart is a condition called atrial fibrillation. This condition causes irregular, rapid heartbeats much higher than the normal rate of 60-100 beats per minute, or it causes the heart to flutter and miss heartbeats. The disruption in the pumping of blood in the heart valves can significantly reduce the smooth flow of blood to other parts of the body, resulting in many other complications.
Commonly affecting people over the age of 65 and affecting men more than women, atrial fibrillation is a severe condition of the heart that can lead to life-threatening complications like stroke or heart attack. The symptoms can also lie low and remain unobtrusive sometimes.
Symptoms of atrial fibrillation
The following symptoms are manifested in the case of atrial fibrillation:
- Confusion
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea
- Pain in the chest
- Heart palpitations that are very obvious and uncomfortable
- Profuse sweating
- A constant and repeated urge to urinate
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling tired easily, especially while climbing stairs or exercising
- Weakness or general physical exhaustion
Risk factors
The chaotic electrical signals caused by the AV (atrioventricular) nodes that lie between the atria and ventricles could simply occur on their own, or atrial fibrillation could be triggered by other factors. The condition is more likely to affect people with the following:
- Abnormal heart valves
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Congenital heart ailments
- Coronary artery disease or blocked arteries
- Grievous lung diseases
- High blood pressure/hypertension
- A history of heart attack or heart surgery
- Hyperthyroidism
- Obesity
- Physiological stress to the body because of pneumonia or major surgeries
- Sleep apnea
- The habit of consuming excess caffeine, tobacco, or alcohol
- Older people are more susceptible
Lone atrial fibrillation is something that can affect supposedly healthy people with no other known illness. Lasting only for a few minutes as a one-time event, sometimes occurring on and off, or even persistent all the time, the symptoms of atrial fibrillation could mimic those of a heart attack and considerably reduce the efficiency of the heart’s functioning.
At other times, the condition could be asymptomatic. It is important to consult a doctor and get the signs of the illness diagnosed. After a physical examination, depending on whether or not the symptoms are apparent, whether they are mild or severe, and how long the atrial fibrillation lasts, a medical practitioner can decide the course of treatment required to bring the heart back to a calm state and into a normal working rhythm. Also, reducing or managing the risk factors that cause atrial fibrillation is essential in order to lead a good quality life and avoid further complications.
