What is atrial fibrillation?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am worried about my heart health as I am getting closer to 50, especially because my father has a history of atrial fibrillation. I am aware that atrial fibrillation is a kind of cardiac arrhythmia that, if untreated, can result in major consequences. I am interested in finding out more about atrial fibrillation's risk factors, symptoms, and possible preventative treatments because of my family's history.

Could you elaborate on the causes of atrial fibrillation, how it affects heart health, and what dangers are involved, especially for people with a family history similar to mine? Also, I am curious to know how lifestyle choices like nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction affect atrial fibrillation risk management.

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Atrial fibrillation can be idiopathic without any known causes or secondary to diseases like hypertension, valvular heart disease, disorders of the thyroid gland, sleep disorders like (obstructive sleep apnea) and obesity (being overweight). It is also divided into paroxysmal and persistent forms. In the former, there are short spurts of atrial fibrillation, which subside spontaneously, and permanent atrial fibrillation, where there is no normal rhythm at any point in time.

The biggest dangers are strokes or cerebrovascular accidents. Also, symptomatic atrial fibrillation causes easy fatigability and predisposition to falls. Exercise and nutrition (avoiding a high-calorie and fat diet) go a long way in dealing with this. Also, something as benign as snoring needs to be looked into and treated, as it may cause atrial fibrillation if accompanied by obstructive sleep apnea. Also, hypertension should be treated.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.