Atrial fibrillation is a heart condition in which the top chambers of the heart quiver in a rapid, disorganized way. Although it can be uncomfortable, many people who suffer from atrial fibrillation have no idea—and they need to know: Atrial fibrillation increases your risk of a stroke by 500%, and can lead to heart failure as well.
To prevent those things from befalling you, you need to understand the symptoms of atrial fibrillation, so you can get treatment if necessary. To that end, a non-profit called the Heart Rhythm Society has just launched a campaign called "What A-Fib Feels Like" to raise awareness. They've created a snappy PSA video, and are getting the word out that these are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation:
- A sensation in your chest of fish flopping, or drums pounding, or thunder rumbling, or anything similar
- Frequent palpitations (the sensation that your heart has skipped a beat)
- Shortness of breath after physical exertion
- A reduced ability to exercise
- Chest pain
- Dizziness or fainting episodes
Although anybody can experience atrial fibrillation, and it affects more than 2 million people in the US, your risk increase with age. Here are the primary risk factors, according to the Heart Rhythm Society:
- Being older than 60
- Diabetes
- Other heart problems, such as hypertension and coronary heart disease
- Thyroid disease
- Sleep apnea
- Chronic lung disease
- Excessive alcohol consumption or stimulant use
- A serious illness or infection
Regardless of whether you have any risk factors, definitely see your doctor if you experience any of the above symptoms. There are a variety of treatments for atrial fibrillation, ranging from medication to lifestyle changes to various surgical procedures. You can learn more about atrial fibrillation symptoms and treatment options from the government's National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute website.
