Your heart is probably the most sensitive part of your body next to the brain. Its blood, nutrients, and waste transport functions are crucial in maintaining our body’s health. It is no secret that any conditions facing the heart are treated with much care, as any miscalculation can lead to the loss of life. Many issues may affect your heart and its functions. An example of a heart condition is atrial fibrillation Frisco. More about this condition and what it is all about is discussed below.
What is Atrial Fibrillation?
This condition involves rapid and often irregular rhythm of your heart that may result in blood clots within the heart. This heightens the chances of heart failure, stroke, and other heart complications.
The heart’s atria typically beat irregularly and chaotically out of sync with the lower chambers. There are usually no symptoms, but a quick, pounding of your heart, weakness, and shortness of breath may occur.
Atrial fibrillation episodes can be persistent or temporary. It is not life-threatening, although its treatment is necessary to prevent stroke.
Patients of this condition can also have an atrial flutter, an arrhythmia similar to atrial fibrillation.
Signs and Symptoms
Some people may not feel symptoms, while some may experience ones such as:
· Chest pain
· A feeling of a fast pounding or fluttering heartbeats
· Fatigue
· Dizziness
· Reduced ability to exercise
· Lightheadedness
· Weakness
· Shortness of breath
This condition may be:
· Occasional
These symptoms are temporary, staying for hours or minutes. The episodes may be regular, lasting for a week. These symptoms may either fade away by themselves or require occasional treatment.
· Persistent
This situation is characterized by the heart’s rhythm not returning to its standard rate. Medications or cardioversion are possible treatment plans for restoring and keeping a normal heart rhythm.
· Long-standing persistent
This one happens continuously and stays for more than a year.
· Permanent
The irregular heart rhythm can not be returned to its average rate without using medications to control and discourage blood clots.
Causes
When you have this condition, the atria chamber signals are chaotic, making them quiver. This storms the AV node with signals meant for the ventricles. This increases the frequency and speed of the heart rhythm.
Issues of the heart that may cause atrial fibrillation to include:
· Heart attack
· Coronary artery disease
· Heart valve issues
· Congenital heart defects
· Lung diseases
· High blood pressure
· Previous heart surgery
· Physical stress from illnesses or surgery
· Sleep apnea
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis may require tests like:
· Blood tests
· Electrocardiogram
· Event recorder
· Holter monitor
· Stress test
· Echocardiogram
· Chest x-ray
Treatment involves:
· Cardioversion therapy to reset the rhythm of the heart
· Medications like beta-blockers
· Surgery or other catheter operations
Since atrial fibrillation has no visible symptoms most times, it can be challenging to spot it. However, once you sense any signs, medical intervention is required urgently. Check our website or call our offices in Frisco, TX, for any heart disease inquiries.