- What are the signs and symptoms
- Possible causes
- What complications can occur
- How the diagnosis is made
- What is the treatment
Atrial fibrillation is characterized by a disorganized electrical activity in the atria of the heart, which causes changes in the heartbeat, which becomes irregular and faster, reaching 175 beats per minute, which may increase the risk of stroke, heart failure or others heart problems.
Atrial fibrillation can be asymptomatic, only discovered during routine examinations, or cause symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness and a feeling of weakness.
The treatment is very variable and will depend on the person, the signs and symptoms that he presents and the causes that are at the origin of atrial fibrillation.
What are the signs and symptoms
Some people may not experience any symptoms, but in some cases, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, weakness, rapid tiredness when exercising, fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath and chest pain may occur.
Possible causes
Atrial fibrillation sometimes has no known cause, however, in most cases it occurs due to heart defects or injuries.
In addition, some other causes that may favor the installation of atrial fibrillation are hypertension, history of previous heart attack, coronary heart disease, congenital diseases, hyperthyroidism, use of certain medications, consuming caffeine, alcohol or tobacco, suffering from lung problems, postoperative recent heart surgery, viral infections, stress or suffering from sleep apnea, for example.
In some cases, the risk of suffering from atrial fibrillation may be increased, as in the elderly and people who overuse alcohol and some stimulants.
What complications can occur
Generally, atrial fibrillation is not life-threatening, but in some cases, it can lead to complications or even emergency treatment is required.
Atrial fibrillation can lead to the formation of blood clots within the heart, which circulate to other organs, which can cause the blockage of blood flow, causing ischemia. If they go to the brain, they can obstruct a cerebral artery and cause a stroke, the risk of occurring being about 5 times greater in people who suffer from atrial fibrillation.
In addition, when atrial fibrillation is very common, it can cause heart failure. As these complications are serious, it is important that treatment is done as soon as possible.
How the diagnosis is made
Generally, the diagnosis is made through an electrocardiogram, but in some cases, the doctor may indicate an echocardiogram, blood tests to see if there are problems with the thyroid, or X-ray to the chest, to assess the size of the cardiac area.
What is the treatment
Treatment will depend on the person's hemodynamic conditions and when the arrhythmia started, however, it is not always easy to specify the time of onset, which makes the approach and treatment somewhat difficult.
The goals of treatment are to normalize the heart rate and prevent the formation of blood clots, in order to reduce the risk of suffering a stroke. Depending on the time of the onset of the arrhythmia and the person's clinical condition, defibrillation may be necessary, where a shock is performed in order to reset the heart rate and return it to normal rhythm, under sedation.
In addition, the doctor may prescribe antiarrhythmic remedies, which reverse atrial fibrillation in stable patients and can also be used after reversion to prevent further events. Examples of antiarrhythmic agents are amiodarone and propagandone, for example. Beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers can also be used to control heart rate and prevent atrial fibrillation. For the prevention of clot formation, the doctor may prescribe anticoagulants and platelet inhibitors.
It is also important to practice regular physical activity, control blood pressure, avoid excess alcohol, caffeine or cigarettes, control cholesterol, reduce sugar consumption and maintain a healthy weight.
