ATRIAL FIBRILLATION | CAUSES & SYMPTOMS | DIAGNOSIS & HEALTH RISKS | TREATMENTS
OPEN HEART MAZE | TOTALLY THORACOSCOPIC MINI-MAZE | TT MINI-MAZE PATIENT CENTER
Causes of Atrial Fibrillation
- ATRIAL FIBRILLATION can be associated with cardiovascular disease:
- Hypertension
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Valvular Heart Disease
- Heart Failure
- ATRIAL FIBRILLATION may also be associated with:
- Age
- Gender – more common in women
- Sleep Apnea
- Chronic Lung Disease
- Thyroid Problems
- Caffeine and Nicotine Use
- Excessive Alcohol Use
Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation
IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE that atrial fibrillation is different from a rapid heart rate caused by exercise, fear or stimulants, where the heart speeds up briefly then returns to a normal sinus rhythm.
IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE that some individuals have NO symptoms; their atrial fibrillation is diagnosed during a routine medical exam.
Most individuals with atrial fibrillation seek medical attention for one or more of the common symptoms of AFib:
- Palpitations – the awareness of one’s heart beating rapidly and irregularly
- Shortness of Breath – particularly with walking long distances or climbing stairs
- Fatigue – extreme tiredness, often associated with exercise intolerance
- Chest Pain – discomfort in the chest due to the heart’s inability to pump effectively
- Dizziness – light headedness usually associated with a rapid irregular rate and the heart’s inability to efficiently deliver blood to the body
- Syncope – fainting due to the lack of blood being delivered to the brain
