Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial Fibrillation (also known as A-Fib)

Atrial Fibrillation is a type of cardiac arrhythmia, an irregular beating of the heart.  In atrial fibrillation, the two small upper chambers of the heart quiver rather than beat efficiently, resulting in an abnormal heart rhythm.

Get the Facts

• Atrial Fibrillation is the most prevalent form of cardiac arrhythmia, occurring in over 2.2 million people in the United States.
• There is a 15% prevalence of an irregular heartbeat in those over 70 years of age.
• Stroke occurs four to five times more often with atrial fibrillation.
• Atrial Fibrillation may lead to heart failure with fast rates, irregular rhythm, and loss of atrial contribution to cardiac output.

Symptoms

Often, atrial fibrillation causes no symptoms at all.  However, when they do occur, symptoms may include:

• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Fatigue
• Paleness
• Sweating
• Weakness
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid heart tremors
• Gradual heart tremors

Diagnosis

Several different types of procedures may be used to diagnose arrhythmias.  These techniques include:

• An Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
  • A standard electrocardiogram helps doctors analyze the electrical currents of the heart.  By placing electrodes at specific locations on the body, a graphic representation of the electrical activity can be obtained.
• Holter Monitoring
  • A holter monitor is a transportable device worn by the patient used to record the patient's heart rate throughout a 24 hour period.  Three electrodes are placed on the patient's chest and are connected to a small, portable recorder.  In the procedure known as event monitoring, patients may choose to wear the device and monitor their heart rate only when symptoms are present.
• Electrophysiology Studies (EPS)
  • In electrophysiology studies, a long, thin tube called a catheter is inserted through the groin or neck and guided to the heart.  This allows physicians to find the site of the arrhythmia's origin within the heart tissue and determine how to best treat it.
• Tilt-Table Exam
  • A tilt-table exam is a noninvasive test used to monitor the patient's heart rate and blood pressure as the patient lies flat on a table.  Pressure is applied on the area of the nervous system that maintains the heart rate and blood pressure, allowing doctors to see how the heart responds to stress.

Treatment Options

Forsyth Cardiac and Vascular Center offers leading edge technology and treatments so that you don't have to live with atrial fibrillation.  Treatment options include:

• Medications
  • Medications may be used to return the heart to its normal rhythm or to prevent blood clots and reduce the risk of stroke.
• Electrical cardioversion
  • In electrical cardioversion, the doctor applies an electrical shock to the chest wall to regulate the heartbeat.
• Catheter ablation
  • During catheter ablation, a hollow tube is inserted into the heart through a vessel in the groin or arm.  Once the site of the arrhythmia is found, it can be destroyed.
• Pacemaker
  • Pacemakers can be placed under the skin to treat people with an irregular heart rate.  An artificial pacemaker can send electrical signals to make the heart beat if the heart's natural pacemaker is not functioning properly.
• Maze procedure
  • During the maze procedure, surgeons create a number of incisions in the heart's atrium to block erratic electrical impulses that cause atrial fibrillation.
• Lifestyle modification
  • Often, lifestyle changes can treat heart arrhythmia.  The physican may order eliminating substances such as caffeine or alcohol that may cause or contribute to the problem.

Causes

Generally, anything that disturbs the normal electrical impulses in the heart can trigger a cardiac arrhythmia.  For atrial fibrilllation, marjor risk factors include:

• Being over 70 years of age
• Coronary heart disease
• Rheumatic heart disease
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Thyrotoxicosis, an excess of thyroid hormones

Prevention

Although some causes of atrial fibrillation are not preventable, reducing your chance of developing certain arrhythmias is as easy as making lifestyle changes, such as:

• Eating a well-balanced, low-fat diet
• Exercising regularly
• Not smoking