ATRIAL FIBRILLATION | CAUSES & SYMPTOMS | DIAGNOSIS & HEALTH RISKS | TREATMENTS
OPEN HEART MAZE | TOTALLY THORACOSCOPIC MINI-MAZE | TT MINI-MAZE PATIENT CENTER
DIAGNOSING ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
For a patient in atrial fibrillation, the presumptive diagnosis can often be made during an exam when the physician obtains a history, listens to the heart, and feels the pulse. Atrial fibrillation can be confirmed with an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). This is a non-invasive test in which conductive patches are placed on the body and the heart’s rhythm is recorded.
Not all patients who have atrial fibrillation will be in AFib at the time they visit their physician. Diagnosing atrial fibriillation in these patients will require further tests, such as a 24 hour EKG (Holter Monitor) or even a 3 – 4 week Event Monitor. These monitors will record episodes of abnormal heart rhythm. The physician will review the recordings to determine if atrial fibrillation is present.
HEALTH RISKS OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
Although atrial fibrillation is tolerated by many patients and not a life threatening rhythm disturbance, it can seriously impact one’s long term health and quality of life. Three broad areas of health risks are present in patients with AFib:
- STROKE – When the atria fibrillate they lose their pumping ability, thus allowing blood to stagnate
or pool. This increases the likelihood of blood clot formation, particularly in the left atrial appendage. If a blood clot dislodges, it can be pumped through the body and lodge in the brain, resulting in a stroke. (Insert diagram from previous AFib page showing brain clot )
In patients with AFib not taking blood thinners,
there is a 5 – 6 times greater risk of stroke than
inpatients without AFib.
In patients with AFib taking blood thinners,
there is still twice the risk of stroke than in
patientswithout AFib.
- HEART FAILURE – For patients with longstanding atrial fibrillation and a fast heart rate, particularly left untreated, the heart can enlarge and its function decline, causing congestive heart failure.
- DEATH – Several studies indicate that atrial fibrillation alone results in a 1.5 – 2 times increase in the risk of death.
