Atrial Fibrillation

What causes atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of heart arrhythmia. The condition is often connected to high blood pressure, as well as:

• Coronary artery disease
• Valvular heart disease
• Hyperthyroidism
• Extreme alcohol intoxication
• Autonomic nervous system changes

Atrial fibrillation may also begin after a patient has had cardiac surgery. Although not common, there’s sometimes no obvious reason for atrial fibrillation. This is more common in younger people, and it’s known as lone atrial fibrillation.

Treatment can be very successful for this condition, especially if patients are proactive about getting help.

What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation doesn’t always cause symptoms. However, if your irregular heartbeat does cause symptoms, you might experience:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Dizziness and confusion
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty exercising

Many people with atrial fibrillation also feel as though their heart is flip-flopping or racing in their chest. 

What are the risks of having atrial fibrillation?

When a heart attack happens, the heart isn’t able to get enough blood, resulting in heart muscle damage. When a stroke occurs, part of the brain isn’t able to get sufficient blood supply, which can result in brain damage and neurological problems. Atrial fibrillation is connected to both heart attack and stroke in some cases.

It’s a particularly common reason for strokes in older people, especially those over age 75. Atrial fibrillation can cause blood clots that lead to stroke, especially in cases where the patient has conditions like:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Heart failure

As a board-certified cardiologist and internal medicine specialist, Dr. Arne can monitor your health for cardiovascular and chronic disease to minimize the risk of serious complications.  

How is atrial fibrillation treated?

While not all cases of atrial fibrillation require treatment, Dr. Arne can provide guidance on improving your cardiovascular health. Gulfshore Personalized Care offers concierge-based care, allowing Dr. Arne to personalize your treatment plan and spend more time with you to address your needs. 

Atrial fibrillation treatment is customized based on your symptoms and how they affect your quality of life. Some people may need medications, while others might need a surgical procedure to reset their heart rhythm. A pacemaker is an implanted device that sends an electrical impulse to reset the rhythm of your heart.

Call Gulfshore Personalized Care today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about atrial fibrillation.