Frequently Asked Questions About Atrial Fibrillation
by: AFAnswers.com staff
If you or someone you know has recently been diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation, you may find very little information on the condition or it may be difficult to sort through the information you find. This article includes some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the condition, its prevalence and consequences and treatment options.
Q. How many people have Atrial Fibrillation?
A. Approximately 2.2 million Americans suffer from Atrial Fibrillation (AF). 1 Physicians diagnose an average of 160,000 new cases each year.
Q. What are the common symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation?
A. Some of the symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation include:
- Chest pain and/or discomfort
- Racing heartbeat
- Irregular pulse
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness, fatigue
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
Q. Who is at risk of having AF?
A. Atrial Fibrillation risk increases with age, especially in individuals over age 80. It is estimated that 5 percent of people over age 65 have Atrial Fibrillation; this rate increases to 9 percent or 1 in every 10 persons over age 80. Previous heart conditions (such as heart disease), thyroid problems, diabetes, high blood pressure and possibly obesity are factors that could increase your risk of having AF. It is also more common in men than in women.
Q. How do I know which method of treatment is right for me?
A. You should discuss treatment options with your physician, including your current lifestyle and daily activities, so he or she may recommend the most appropriate treatment for you.
AF treatments can be considered suppressive – they suppress or control the symptoms – or curative – they are designed to eliminate the cause of the condition and have the potential to cure it.
AF is most commonly treated by one or more of the following methods:
Suppressive therapies
- Cardioversion – Suppression is achieved through electrical or medical cardioversion.
- Medication – A physician will often prescribe antiarrhythmic drugs, rate control medications or anticoagulant medications to manage the symptoms of AF.
- Medical devices – Medical devices, such as a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) can be used to regulate the heartbeat.
Curative therapies
- Ablation – During catheter or surgical ablation, a physician ablates, or destroys the irregular tissue of the heart to repair the heart’s electrical system and return it to a normal rhythm.
Each method has associated risks and/or side effects, all of which should be discussed with your physician; the chosen method will depend largely on the symptoms you have experienced and your specific heart rhythm.
Q. Is there anything dangerous about AF?
A. Atrial Fibrillation itself is not a life-threatening condition. That does not mean, however, that the condition isn’t dangerous. Blood clots caused by the heart’s incorrect pumping patterns can break loose and move to the brain, causing a stroke. Individuals with AF are five times more likely to have a stroke.
If the heart has been working irregularly for a long period of time, it can fatigue and go into heart failure. Atrial Fibrillation can also have adverse or potentially fatal effects when combined with other serious heart conditions.
Q. Are there different types of Atrial Fibrillation?
A. There are three identifiable types of AF: paroxysmal, persistent and permanent. Permanent and persistent AF occur for longer life cycles, while paroxysmal is sporadic and may begin and end abruptly. Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation is usually self-ceasing, and lasts approximately a week or less. Persistent AF lasts more than seven days, but can be treated with intervention. Permanent AF usually lasts a year or more, and cannot be easily terminated.
Q. What is the cause of Atrial Fibrillation?
A. Although research indicates contributing factors to the disease, there is no single known cause of AF. In some people, it is thought to be caused by other conditions, such as overactive thyroid, heart attack, hypertension, and certain kinds of heart failure; in others the cause cannot be identified.
Q. Can I prevent AF?
A. Atrial Fibrillation cannot always be prevented, however taking steps to ensure a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risks of AF and other cardiovascular conditions. Such steps include:
- Regular exercise and healthy diet to maintain healthy weight.
- Abstain from tobacco use and avoiding second hand smoke when possible.
- See your doctor for regular physical exams.
- Avoid overuse of alcohol.
- Monitor caffeine intake.
- Avoid and/or manage stress and stressful situations.
Q. How will my doctor know if I have Atrial Fibrillation or another arrhythmia?
A. Your physician will most likely start by evaluating your symptoms and medical history and performing a physical exam. He or she may also perform electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) and/or cardiac echo tests. The EKG will produce a graph that represents the phases of activation of the heart. Physicians can tell the difference between normal and abnormal heartbeats from this chart, which shows the electrical activity of the heart.
During a cardiac echo test, a device sends and receives sound waves that travel through the chest wall, to the heart, and then are sent back. This information is translated from reflected sound waves to images. The physician can then use this to identify any abnormal structure of the chambers or other areas of the heart.
Looking for more?
Looking for more answers? The FAQ page has additional answers to questions that address anatomy, causes, diagnosis, prevention, symptoms and other general information about Atrial Fibrillation.
Published: January 1, 2007
