Understanding a common heart condition!
Many people expect heart disease to announce itself with dramatic chest pain. But one of the most common heart conditions, affecting approximately 10.5 million U.S. adults, can be much quieter. Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, may cause a racing or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath or no symptoms at all. Yet despite its often subtle presentation, it can increase the risk of stroke and other complications.
For Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month, we spoke with Buckhead native Frank Corrigan, interventional cardiologist and medical director of advanced cardiac imaging for Wellstar Health System, for his insights.
Know the Beat
A normal heartbeat relies on the heart’s chambers working together. The heart has two lower chambers called ventricles that pump blood to the body and the lungs. Two upper chambers called atria help collect blood from the body and the lungs. With AFib, “instead of beating in concert, the atria tend to quiver,” Corrigan says. This causes the interval between each beat to be irregular. Because the atria are not contracting effectively, blood can stagnate and potentially form clots. “If a clot forms, there’s a risk that it could go somewhere, thus the risk for stroke,” he says.
Understand Your Risk
Age is one of the biggest risk factors for AFib, but it is not the only one. Conditions that put extra stress on the heart include high blood pressure, heart valve problems, diabetes, thyroid issues, sleep apnea and excess weight. Those born with heart defects may be at a higher risk for AFib at a younger age. Alcohol can also be a trigger. Corrigan says physicians sometimes refer to “holiday heart syndrome,” when AFib episodes may occur after heavier alcohol consumption. “Drinking one or two glasses every day is less of a factor than binge drinking,” he says. “If someone was to have a number of drinks in one setting, they may develop it.” Research has also linked nightshift work with a higher risk of AFib, although the exact reason is not fully understood.
Getting Diagnosed
Anytime your physician listens to your heart, they are listening for an irregular heartbeat. AFib is officially diagnosed through an electrocardiogram, or EKG, that records the heart’s electrical activity. If you experience new symptoms of a racing or irregular heartbeat or shortness of breath, Corrigan recommends seeking medical evaluation.
He says some cases are discovered unexpectedly, too. “I have diagnosed asymptomatic patients who just happen to do an EKG [for something else],” he says.
Treating AFib
Treatment typically focuses on two goals: reducing stroke risk and managing symptoms. Cardiologists assess each patient’s individual stroke risk to determine whether blood thinners are needed. Medications may also be used to slow the heart rate and reduce symptoms.
For some patients who cannot tolerate blood thinners, advanced procedures may be recommended. These include catheter ablation, where the cardiologist tries to correct the irregular heartbeat by going through a vein usually in the groin to the heart to apply hot or cold energy to the short circuits causing the irregularity. Or they might attempt left atrial appendage closure, where the left atrial appendage is sealed off to reduce the risk of stroke without blood thinners.
Ultimately, AFib management depends on the individual, but understanding symptoms and risks is the first step. “Once a patient has developed AFib, we worry that it may recur and often use medications to help prevent complications,” Corrigan says.
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