A heart disorder occurs when a person frequently has episodes of irregular heartbeat. The heart often beats quickly while exercising, engaging in strenuous physical activity, etc. Still, an increase in heart rate without apparent cause is a sign of some cardiac conditions, such as atrial fibrillation
When you are at rest, a typical heart rate should be steady, between 60 and 100 beats per minute. You may determine your heart rate by feeling your pulse in your wrist or neck. If it feels faster more often, then you should consult a doctor. In this article, we will discover what atrial fibrillation is. What are its symptoms? How to diagnose and treat this condition? And what causes such heart problems?
What is Atrial fibrillation?
The atria beat irregularly because the sinus node fails to provide a proper signal to the Atria (upper heart chambers). Sinus nodes are cells in the heart responsible for providing signals for the heartbeat to the upper and lower chambers of the heart. It is responsible for producing a regular heartbeat, but conditions like atrial fibrillation can occur when it fails. The heartbeat rate in atrial fibrillation is 100 to 175, much faster than the normal heart rate.Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation
Following are symptoms of atrial fibrillation:- Irregular heartbeat
- Dizziness
- Breathing difficulties
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Heart palpitations
- Lightheadedness
- Difficulty in performing daily activities
- Difficulty in seeing
- Blood in stool and urine
- A problem in moving limbs
- Severe headache
- Severe chest pain
- Off balance etc.
Causes of Atrial Fibrillation
There could be several possible reasons behind conditions like atrial fibrillation, such as:- Structural problems in a heart
- Heart Attack
- CHDs
- Hypertension
- Prior heart surgery
- Heart valve problems
- Thyroid diseases
- Lung issues
- Infections
Risk Factors
Certain factors make a person more susceptible to atrial fibrillation. Such factors are as follows:-
Medical History
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Unhealthy lifestyle
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Age
Complications
A hazardous side effect of atrial fibrillation resulting in stroke is blood clots. Blood can build up and form clots in the heart’s upper chambers due to the irregular cardiac rhythm associated with atrial fibrillation. A blood clot can bring on a stroke in the left upper chamber that escapes from the heart and travels to the brain. As you become older, atrial fibrillation raises your risk of stroke. Your risk of a stroke may also be increased by certain medical disorders, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and valvular heart conditions. Blood thinners are frequently administered to atrial fibrillation patients to prevent blood clots and strokes.Diagnosis
To diagnose atrial fibrillation in a person doctor will inquire about medical history and symptoms and will perform different tests. Some of the tests are as follows:-
ECG
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Event recorder
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Holter Monitor
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Echocardiography
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EP
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Blood test