Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
Heart ‘flutter’ caused by faulty electrical signals to the heart
Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, sometimes referred to as “flutter,” is when your heart beats rapidly and irregularly. It may occur for just a few seconds or it may last for several days. AFib is caused by a disruption of the electrical signals that tell your heart when to pump blood. This disruption may be as a result of coronary heart disease, diabetes, pericarditis, sleep apnea, or other related conditions.
The danger of AFib is that the fibrillation, or flutter, decreases the heart’s ability to pump efficiently by up to 30 percent. Because of this, blood clots can form in the left atrial appendage, where most stroke-causing blood clots form. If a blood clot breaks loose, it can travel to the brain, causing stroke.
People with AFib have a 5x greater risk of stroke.
Symptoms and diagnosis of AFib
As with many heart conditions, some people may have no symptoms until a significant cardiac or other health-related event occurs. In those who do have signs of atrial fibrillation, the symptoms may include:
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Anxiety
- Needing to urinate frequently
Some people with AFib experience chest pain, which may signal a heart attack.
If you are experiencing chest pain, you may be having a heart attack. Be safe. Call 911.
Your doctor can diagnose atrial fibrillation by performing a complete physical examination and review of your medical history as well as your lifestyle behaviors, such whether you drink alcohol or caffeine, or smoke cigarettes. Certain tests may be ordered, including:
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- Echocardiogram (echo)
- X-ray
- Blood and stress tests
- Holter monitoring
Depending on the severity of your condition and the outcome of the testing, your doctor will prescribe a treatment plan that may include medication, such as antiplatelets or anticoagulants (blood thinners), diet and lifestyle changes. In some cases, a surgical approach may be recommended.
To schedule an appointment with a Lankenau Heart Institute specialist, call 1.866.CALL.MLH (1.866.225.5654) or use our secure online appointment request form.
Treatments
This is standard default content that can be changed per page.
Ambulatory Cardiac Monitoring
If you have certain heart-related symptoms or a condition such as arrhythmia (abnormal heart beat), but a standard electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) is unable to detect any abnormality, your doctor may recommend ambulatory cardiac monitoring.
Beta Blockers
These drugs reduce signs and symptoms of heart failure, improve heart function and help extend patients’ lives.
Blood Test
A blood test can help your doctor assess your body’s response to medication or treatment, identify risk factors for disease and check the function of your internal organs.
Cardiac Catheterization
In cardiac catheterization (often called heart catherization), a very small hollow tube, or catheter, is advanced from a blood vessel in the groin or arm through the aorta into the heart.
Cardiac Stress Test
While walking on a treadmill, your blood pressure, heart rate and breathing will be monitored to see how your heart responds to exercise “stress.”
Cardioversion
If you have an arrhythmia your doctor may recommend cardioversion, a painless procedure that “resets” your heartbeat to a normal rhythm.
Radiography ( X-Ray )
Radiography (X-Ray) involves exposing a part of the body to a small dose of invisible, electromagnetic radiation to produce an image of the internal organs.
Echocardiogram (Echo)
An echo is an imaging technique using sound waves to take pictures of your heart while it’s beating. It shows how chambers, valves and vessels move together.
Electrocardiograms
An electrocardiogram, commonly referred to as an ECG or EKG testing, is a test that records the electrical activity of your heart and can help screen for heart disease.
Echocardiogram (Echo)
An echo is an imaging technique using sound waves to take pictures of your heart while it’s beating. It shows how chambers, valves and vessels move together.
Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC) Device
Left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) devices such as Watchman and LARIAT offer some patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation an attractive alternative to anticoagulants like warfarin.