WHAT IS ATRIAL FIBRILLATION? (AF)
What is atrial fibrillation? (AF)
Atrial Fibrillation is an irregular heart rate that affects the upper chambers of the heart (atria). It prevents blood from being pumped efficiently to the rest of your body.
Normal heart rhythm
Atrial Fibrillation Rhythm
Types of atrial fibrillation (A.F.)
Comes and goes. It stops on its own.
It occurs from minutes to days.
In this stage, AF has more options for treatment.
It lasts for more than a week.
It will not stop on its own.
It can become permanent.
Treatment options are less than with paroxysmal AF
Continuous atrial fibrillation; the heart cannot return to its normal rhythm. Treatment options are very limited
Comes and goes. It stops on its own.
It occurs from minutes to days.
In this stage, AF has more options for treatment.
It lasts for more than a week.
It will not stop on its own.
It can become permanent.
Treatment options are less than with paroxysmal AF
Continuous atrial fibrillation; the heart cannot return to its normal rhythm. Treatment options are very limited
What are the causes of ATRIAL FIBRILLATION? (A.F.)
The causes of AF are often unclear. In some cases, AF may be the result of:
- Heart abnormality from birth
- Damage to the heart structure from a previous heart attack
- Heart valve problems
- Aging process (elderly patients have more AF)
- Atrial size (bigger atria have more chance of developing AF)
People with otherwise normal hearts may also develop AF.
Risk factors
NON-CONTROLLABLE
- Family history
- Advancing age
- Heart disorders from birth
CONTROLLABLE
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Excess weight
- Smoking
- Lack of exercise
- Alcohol intake
- Sleep apnea
- Caffeine
- Some medications
NON-CONTROLLABLE
- Family history
- Advancing age
- Heart disorders from birth
CONTROLLABLE
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Excess weight
- Smoking
- Lack of exercise
- Alcohol intake
- Sleep apnea
- Caffeine
- Some medications
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When discussing with your doctor, you may want to use this document to help guide the conversation
When discussing with your doctor, you may want to use this document to help guide the conversation