What is AFib?

 

 

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is the most common kind of arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat. It’s caused by electrical impulses that misfire, causing the top chambers, or atria, to quiver or flutter. It can lead to blood clots, stroke, and heart failure.

woman in fitness class

What Happens When You Are Experiencing AFib?

AFib happens when the upper and lower chambers of your heart stop working together in the right rhythm.

Normally, the top chambers (atria) contract first, then the lower chambers (ventricles) contract. When you’re in AFib, the atria contract out of rhythm. This can cause your heart to beat too slowly, too quickly, or irregularly. When this happens, the lower chambers do not fill completely or pump enough blood to your lungs and body. 

Signs & Symptoms of AFib

Symptoms can vary, especially depending on what type of AFib you have. They include, but are not limited to:

• Heart palpitations
• General fatigue
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness
• Lightheadedness
• Fatigue when exercising
• Sweating
• Chest pain

Image of couple embracing
Image of couple embracing
Image of couple embracing
Age

Those over the age of 60 are at higher risk, and because women live longer than men on average, it appears to affect women more. It does occasionally appear in children, usually boys or children with obesity.

Those over the age of 60 are at higher risk, and because women live longer than men on average, it appears to affect women more. It does occasionally appear in children, usually boys or children with obesity.

Age

Family History

If someone in your family has it, you are at risk, too.

If someone in your family has it, you are at risk, too.

Family History

Lifestyle

Smoking, binge drinking, using illegal drugs such as cocaine, and chronic stress can trigger episodes or be behind the cause. But even in a healthy heart, a faster or slower heart rate—even from exercising or sleeping—can trigger AFib.

Smoking, binge drinking, using illegal drugs such as cocaine, and chronic stress can trigger episodes or be behind the cause. But even in a healthy heart, a faster or slower heart rate—even from exercising or sleeping—can trigger AFib.

Lifestyle

How Do I Get Diagnosed for AFib?

Your doctor may already be screening you based on family history or
based on your age.

  • They may do a simple pulse check. Sometimes they can detect irregular rhythm.

  • ECG or EKG: Checking the electrical impulses in your heart.

  • Holter monitor or event monitor: Wearing a monitor for a prescribed amount of time to see how your heart behaves in normal settings and around the clock.

  • Blood tests: Checking kidney function, potassium, thyroid, and other factors may help diagnose AFib.

Complications from AFib

What happens if you don’t treat AFib?

Left untreated, AFib can be extremely serious — even deadly. Risks include cardiomyopathy (weakening of the heart muscle), dementia, heart attack, heart failure, and stroke.

COMPLICATIONS FROM AFIB
COMPLICATIONS FROM AFIB
COMPLICATIONS FROM AFIB
Regular visits with your doctor can help prevent serious complications. If you've been diagnosed with AFib, you have options.