September is National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month. Mom’s Home Care believes that you should be informed about Atrial Fibrillation. We want to prevent you from having a stroke and if you have had a stroke, we want you to prevent another one from happening. The first step of prevention is educating yourself. If you believe you have Atrial Fibrillation please consult your doctor.

All You Need to Know About Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots or stroke. Also known as Afib or AF, this form of arrhythmia stems from quivering heartbeats that can result in heart failure or other complications. There are at least 2.7 million Americans living with Afib and many more millions abroad. According to patient experiences, the heart will skip beats and experience flip-flop patterns. In many ways, atrial fibrillation is a cardiac disorder that feels like banging against the chest wall. Symptoms include nausea, light-headedness, weakness, and immediate fatigue.

AF Checkups

Most AF sufferers do not experience any symptoms early on. In fact, many discover they have atrial fibrillation during regular checkups with their doctor. However, most sufferers discover these ailments when visiting local cardiac specialists – or during trips to the ER. According to industry experts and patients, atrial fibrillation tends to result in the following symptoms:

  • The upper chambers of the heart (the atria) tend to beat irregularly (quiver).
  • The heart and rhythmic patterns are not normal – they do not beat effectively to normally move blood into the ventricles.
  • Some patients experience lightheadedness, anxiety, and gasping for air – others experience immediate fatigue and a feeling of being disconnected to themselves and the environment.

AF Blood Clots

During episodes of atrial fibrillation, the clot can unfortunately break off. If it enters the bloodstream and lodges into an artery leading to the brain – a stroke will result. About 15-20% of people who suffer strokes have heart arrhythmia. This is why so many people who have suffered strokes and clots end up on blood thinners. Atrial fibrillation also doubles the risk of heart-related disorders, strokes, and other serious cardiac conditions. The following are some important statistics gathered by surveys on AF and other heart-related problems:

  • Only 33% of AF sufferers believe this is a serious condition.
  • Less than half of these patients believe they have an increased risk for heart-related hospitalization, stroke or even death.

This is mainly due to the fact that AF sufferers do not always experience pain during times of distress. While they may experience lack of air, fatigue, and even confusion – not all have visible signs of pain or tightness in the chest. It seems the main discomfort is the unusual or irregular heartbeats – which emulate the same patterns at those that have suffered heart attacks and are in recovery.

AF Treatment – A Real Life Saver

AF treatment is simply designed to save lives. If you or a loved one has atrial fibrillation, it is imperative to have a defibrillator machine handy. This device can help restart the heart in case of cardiac arrest. It can also help restore proper and normal cardiac heartbeats. It is also advised to follow you heart doctor or primary care physician’s plan for healthy eating, lowering risks, and living a healthier lifestyle.