Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs

Atrial fibrillation is a common type of arrhythmia where the electrical impulses become uncoordinated, making your heart beat as fast as 300 times per minute. Atrial fibrillation can also be dangerous as the blood pools in the atrium because it doesn't pump all the blood into the ventricle. This causes a blood clot (thrombus) to form. The clot can break off and travel to another body part, leading to severe complications like a stroke. In this article with look in to Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs 

What Is Atrial Fibrillation?

A common kind of arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation (AF) causes the electrical impulses to become disorganized, causing your heart to beat as quickly as 300 times per minute. Because it does not pump all of the blood into the ventricle, atrial fibrillation can be harmful because blood collects in the atrium. A blood clot (thrombus) develops as a result of this. The clot may separate and spread to another bodily organ, posing serious risks including a stroke.

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs-Types

There are four types of atrial fibrillation depending on the frequency with which it occurs and its response to treatment.

Paroxysmal or intermittent

Paroxysms or brief atrial fibrillation events may occur off and on but may not last for more than seven days.

Persistent

This type of atrial fibrillation is continuous and persists for more than seven days.

Longstanding persistent

This type of atrial fibrillation continues for more than a year.

Permanent

This type of atrial fibrillation does not respond to any treatment.

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs-Symptoms

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is characterized by irregular heartbeat and rapid heart rate. In this condition, the two atria of the heart beat irregularly and hence lose coordination with the ventricles.

Arrhythmia is fairly subjective, and so are the symptoms. The following are typical arrhythmia symptoms:

• Lightheadedness or dizziness;
• Tachycardia (rapid heartbeat) or fluttering;
• Shortness of breath;
• Chest discomfort;
• Fainting or feeling faint

One might feel these symptoms intermittently, and it might not mean that something is gravely wrong, but if these symptoms occur suddenly and frequently, you should see a doctor immediately.

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs-Causes and Risk Factors

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs-Causes

Variations in the heart's tissue or the heart's electrical conduction system can be causative factors toward AF. Impairment to either of these can cause the heart to pump with more speed and irregularity, leading to AF. The following is a list of the causes of atrial fibrillation:

• Disturbances in electrolytes
• Ischemic heart disease
• Structural heart and valvular problems
• Thyroid issues
• Hypoxia
• Metabolic abnormalities
• On sometimes, it might not have an underlying cause (called Lone AFL)
• AF can occur for a few hours in a day or may even happen for a whole day. However, if it continues for a long time, one should always seek medical treatment.

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs-Risk Factors

Certain cardiovascular disorders such as coronary artery disease (CAD), cardiomyopathy, high blood Arrhythmia may be brought on by stress, a past heart attack, or a recent heart attack.

In addition, arrhythmia can be brought on by

• Diabetes
• Hyperthyroidism
• Stress
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Smoking
• Specific medications, dietary aids, and natural remedies
• Air toxicity
• Electric jolts
• Age - The risk of AF rises with age, especially beyond the age of 65.

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs-Genetics and family history

AF is a familial trait. If someone in your family has it, your chances of contracting it increase. AF may be influenced by genetics, and the risk rises with factors including weight, age, and sex.

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs-Lifestyle habits

Alcohol, drug use, smoking, extreme exercise (often observed in professional sports), and having a stressful life are some lifestyle choices that might predispose one to AF.

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs-Surgery

Post esophagus, lungs, or heart surgery can predispose an individual to AF.

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs-Prevention

It's possible that certain factors that cause AF are unavoidable. However, most cases of AF can be avoided by adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes good nutrition, avoiding foods high in refined carbohydrates, saturated fat, or trans fat, controlling cholesterol, maintaining healthy blood pressure, limiting alcohol consumption to two drinks per day, quitting smoking, and engaging in regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight.

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs-Diagnosis

First, a history and physical examination will be performed to diagnose AF. Before treating your arrhythmia, the doctor will first ask about any triggers you might have, such as heart disease or a thyroid problem. Then, he or she will try to determine where the heart's arrhythmia begins and if it is abnormal through certain diagnostic tests such as

ECG:

It measures the heart's electrical activity. Electrodes are affixed to the patient's arms, legs, and chest during this examination. It is an easy and affordable test that may be done as an outpatient or at any clinic. It may aid in the AF diagnosis.

Holter Monitor:

The test is usually used to diagnose bradycardia (slow heart rate), AF, palpitations, and arrhythmia. Moreover, it is used for patients with a recent heart attack.

Echocardiogram:

Echocardiography is real-time heart imaging (similar to sonography). It is especially helpful in diagnosing valvular heart disease, which remains silent for several years.

Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE):

This test uses sound waves that take images of one's heart via the esophagus. It identifies whether AF is causing blood clots to form in the heart's upper chambers.

Tilt table test:

For this test, you are asked to lie flat on a table, and the table is then tilted as if you were standing up. Your doctor will observe how your heart responds to the change in angle.

Electrophysiological testing and mapping:

Catheters will be inserted into numerous locations on your body by your doctor. These catheters' tips include electrodes that will record data about the electrical impulses of your heart.

Blood tests

To assess thyroid hormone and potassium levels and identify the cause of AF. In addition, it will determine how well one's kidneys and livers function to evaluate the mode of treatment.

Chest X-ray

This will identify complications of AF, such as large fluid collections in hearts or lungs.

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs-Treatment

The treatment method will depend on your age if you have any pre-existing conditions, your family history, medications you might be taking, and the severity and symptoms of your arrhythmia.

There are several treatment options:

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs-Lifestyle Changes:

Your doctor will ask you to make lifestyle changes that will keep your heart healthy. You may be advised to eat heart-healthy foods, exercise regularly, increase physical activity, and reduce stress, alcohol, and caffeine.

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs-Medications:

You may be advised to have a certain drug, which, when taken exactly as per prescription, can help prevent heart attack, stroke, and the progression of coronary artery disease.

• There are four types of medicines to treat arrhythmia, namely,
• Anti-arrhythmic drugs such as lidocaine and propranolol.
• Ca channel blockers such as diltiazem
• Beta-blockers such as metoprolol to decrease heart rate
• Anticoagulants or blood thinners (in addition to other medicines) such as aspirin and warfarin make it harder for the blood to clot and prevent stroke.

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs-Procedures

Certain procedures may be performed when medications fail to act.

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs-Cardiac Ablation:

In addition to medicine, many arrhythmias can be treated using less invasive techniques like cardiac ablation. The operation eliminates or ablates certain heart cells that are the source of your arrhythmia.

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs-Electrical Cardioversion

This procedure electrically resets the heart. This may be used in combination with medications to maintain the heart's normal rhythm. The shock delivered by the cardioversion procedure will attempt to synchronize the heartbeat and re-establish a normal rhythm.

Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Closure

The LAA is a small sac in the heart's top left chamber (atrium). There is a high risk of clot formation for AF, which may accumulate in the LAA. Closure can help prevent these clots from circulating throughout your body and causing complications such as stroke.

Surgery

The maze operation, in which numerous incisions are made on the walls of the left and right atrium, is one surgery that can assist relieve your problems. Both coronary bypass surgery and these incisions result in scar tissues that obstruct the irregular electrical impulses.

Excision or exclusion of the left atrial appendage: Here, the LAA is removed, and the remaining tissue is closed with a stapler-like device or excluded with the AtriClip. The AtriClip is externally implanted from the heart and prevents blood flow between the left atrium and the LAA. The left atrial appendage is excised during surgical operations to treat atrial fibrillation, and the tissue is then stitched up using a specialized tool. AtriClip, a device, can be used to exclude it. The LAA and left atrium's blood flow is stopped by the AtriClip, which is inserted outside the heart.

Certain arrhythmias may be life-threatening if not treated immediately, so do not ignore your symptoms, even if they seem harmless. Let your doctor be the judge of it.

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs-Lifestyle/Management

In addition to drugs, several lifestyle modifications can help your heart health. Pay close attention to the activities that trigger AF and make an effort to avoid them.

• Moderate or limit alcohol consumption
• Quit smoking.
• Reduce caffeine use or consumption of caffeinated products such as coffee, tea, colas, energy drinks, and certain OTC medications.
• Avoid self-medication, particularly when you cough or cold, as certain medications contain ingredients that may predispose an individual to AF.
• Check blood pressure and control it if it is on the higher side.
• Be active and maintain healthy body weight.
• bring blood sugar levels under control.
• If an individual suffers from sleep apnoea, treat it to reduce AF symptoms.

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs-DO's

• Do control and monitor the amount of caffeine you take.
• Do remain active and stay healthy.
• Do maintain healthy body weight.

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs-DON'TS

• Don't consume too much alcohol.
• Don't compromise on sleep. Get a good rest of ~7–9 h at night.
• Don't ignore arrhythmias, even if they are not causing one any harm.[4]

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs-What to eat and to avoid:

When an individual has AF, it is important to identify one's triggers for the same. Identifying your threshold can help control symptoms of AF. Consuming a Mediterranean diet can help in the control of AF symptoms. A Mediterranean diet emphasizes plant-based foods rich in vegetables, fruits, fish, legumes, nuts, and olive oil. Foods that should be included are fish rich in omega-3, such as tuna, mackerel, sardines, and salmon. Fresh fruits such as strawberries, cranberries, and others can be included. t may be advantageous to consume whole grains including barley, oats, quinoa, and brown rice. Including extra virgin olive oil and nuts such as walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts are beneficial and cardio-protective. Foods that should be avoided are red meats (beef and mutton), processed foods (chips, fast food) and bakery items (biscuits, cakes), sugary things, and fruit juices, which contain excess sugar.

Prognosis And Complications

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs-Prognosis

The prognosis of AF depends on identifying the cause. Once the reason for AF is specified, the treatment can cure the arrhythmias. However, the prognosis may be poor in individuals with chronic heart disease. In such cases, precautions and lifestyle changes should be instituted to prevent stroke, and other complications should be taken.

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs-Difficulties

The following is a list of this condition's more severe variations:

Brain stroke:

AF causes the heart to clot, which can result in an embolism in the brain and a stroke. Due to the lower cardiac output and loss of efficient upper chamber contraction, it can produce cardiac symptoms as shortness of breath, angina, and heart failure.

Sudden cardiac arrest :

In cases of other cardiac-related comorbidities, there is an increased risk of the heart suddenly stopping beating, leading to a cardiac arrest.

Ventricular fibrillation:

One of the deadliest types of arrhythmia is ventricular fibrillation. Here, the ventricles begin to quiver rather than pump blood. Because there is no effective heartbeat, blood pressure drops drastically, cutting off blood supply to the organs, leading to collapse and cardiac arrest. Death ensues if the person does not immediately get medical attention.

Cognitive impairment and dementia:

Because of decreased blood supply to the brain, cognitive impairment, dementia, or Alzheimer's disease may occur due to the abnormal rhythm of the heart.

Heart failure:

Another complication of AF is heart failure. The heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's requirements. Fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid retention are common symptoms of this condition.

Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms and Signs-Alternative Treatments

Several alternative treatments are available to treat AF.

Yoga:

which comprises pranayama (breathing exercises), asanas (body postures), and dhyana (meditation), decreases symptoms of AF and improves the quality of life.

Acupuncture:

This process comprises the insertion of fine needles at specific points on the skin, which are considered energy lines (meridians). This has been reported to help treat the symptoms of AF and prevents its recurrences.

Biofeedback:

This involves a behavioral approach such as self-hypnosis, muscle relaxation, and other meditation methods to help individuals control the heart rate in AF.

Vitamins and antioxidants:

Vitamins C and E help reduce the occurrence of AF post-cardiac surgery, and antioxidants have been seen to reduce the occurrence of AF.