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When your heart experiences an arrhythmia, it may feel like it's fluttering or jumping out of rhythm, or it may have no obvious symptoms at all. This is a common occurrence in the condition known as atrial fibrillation (AFib), which can have serious consequences. The CDC reports that AFib can increase the risk of stroke by up to five times and put patients at risk for heart failure. However, up to half of patients with this common heart condition may not be diagnosed. That makes awareness and screening key.
Signs and Symptoms of AFib
Symptoms of AFib can include an irregular heartbeat, palpitations, lightheadedness or dizziness, shortness of breath, faintness or confusion, extreme fatigue, and/or chest discomfort. Although millions of Americans experience AFib, many don’t notice any overt symptoms. In these cases, AFib can only be detected through an electrical recording of the heart’s rhythm.
Who Is At Risk
The risk of developing AFib gradually increases with age. According to research published by the Journal of the American Heart Association, people over age 40 have a 1-in-4 lifetime risk of developing AFib. After age 60, about one percent of people will be diagnosed with AFib each year.
In addition to age, other risk factors include obesity, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, valvular heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, diabetes or metabolic syndrome, lung disease and kidney disease. Lifestyle concerns such as smoking and alcohol abuse can also dramatically increase the risk of developing AFib. High stress levels and mental health may play a role as well.
How Atrial Fibrillation Is Diagnosed
Early diagnosis and management of AFib is crucial to prevent life-threatening complications. Your cardiologist will perform a medical history assessment, physical examination and various tests such as electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram and Holter monitor. In some cases, additional cardiac imaging or electrophysiological studies may be ordered to help guide your treatment.
Using Wearable Tech to Monitor Heart Health
Many of our patients use personal technology, like portable medical-grade EKG devices, to help monitor their hearts from home. These devices can help doctors detect heart rhythm irregularities sooner, which can sometimes help make a diagnosis or even prevent a stroke. But not all technology is created equal. For example, a less-complex heart rate monitor and one that is built to be an EKG-grade device may show differing results.
Self-screening with these apps can help you become more aware of your heart health. One important point is to be perfectly still, preferably with arms supported on a table or desk when making recordings. This technique minimizes movement artifacts and yields a much higher-quality tracing. Another important point is to have your doctor review any tracings of concern, especially if you are seeing irregularities, as the automatic interpretations are not always correct.
See Your Doctor for Annual Screening
AFib can manifest subtle symptoms, which is why annual screening is critical. This is especially true for individuals aged 65 years or above. If you or a family member display symptoms of an irregular heart rhythm, consult your primary care physician or cardiologist today.
Dr. Anthony Magnano is a Ponte Vedra resident and chief of cardiology at Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside in Jacksonville. For more information on Dr. Magnano and his specialty in treating atrial fibrillation, go to ascension.org/JaxHeart or call 904-388-1820.
