AFib occurs when the upper chambers of the heart, called the atria, beat irregularly, causing blood flow to the lower chambers, called the ventricles, to be disrupted. This condition can either happen in short episodes or can be a permanent condition.
AFib is the most prevalent form of heart arrhythmia. It is characterized by the lack of coordination between the upper and lower chambers of the heart, resulting in an irregular, slow, or fast heartbeat.
Atrial fibrillation, also known as AFib or AF, is a common heart arrhythmia that is treated by medical professionals. An arrhythmia occurs when the heart beats too slow, too fast, or in an irregular pattern.
The symptoms of AFib can vary from person to person. While some individuals may not even realize they have AFib and remain asymptomatic, others may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
Irregular heartbeat
Heart palpitations (rapid, fluttering, or pounding)
Lightheadedness
Extreme fatigue
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Treatment options for AFib include medications to control heart rhythm and rate, blood-thinning medicine to prevent blood clots and reduce stroke risk, surgery, and lifestyle changes to manage risk factors.
AFib has significant consequences, leading to over 454,000 hospitalizations annually in the United States, with AFib as the primary diagnosis. Additionally, AFib contributes to approximately 158,000 deaths each year. The death rate associated with AFib as either the primary or a contributing cause of death has been steadily increasing for more than two decades.
AFib is closely linked to an increased risk of stroke. When accounting for standard stroke risk factors, AFib is associated with a fivefold increased risk of ischemic stroke. Approximately 1 in 7 strokes are caused by AFib. Strokes resulting from AFib complications tend to be more severe than those caused by other factors. Strokes occur when blood flow to the brain is blocked by blood clots or fatty deposits known as plaque in the blood vessel lining.
Several risk factors contribute to the development of AFib, including:
Advancing age
High blood pressure
Obesity
European ancestry
Diabetes
Heart failure
Ischemic heart disease
Hyperthyroidism
Chronic kidney disease
Moderate to heavy alcohol use
Smoking
Enlargement of the chambers on the left side of the heart
What is AFib?
Here are some facts about AFib:
It is estimated that by 2030, approximately 12.1 million people in the United States will have AFib.
In 2019, AFib was mentioned on 183,321 death certificates, with 26,535 of those deaths caused by AFib itself.
People of European descent are more susceptible to AFib compared to African Americans.
AFib is more commonly observed in women due to the increasing number of cases with age and women generally having a longer lifespan than men.
Regular Heartbeat
