Could You Have Atrial Fibrillation and Not Know It?

by Dr. Stephen Sinatra

Filed Under: Heart Health, Arrhythmia

Last Reviewed 07/05/2012

Recently, a reader on my blog asked me for the typical and atypical signs of atrial fibrillation (AF). That’s a good question because some people have AF and don’t know it. Yet, if left untreated it can cause long-term complications. Here’s why…

AF is an irregular heartbeat caused when the heart’s normal “pacemaker” is bombarded by competing electrical charges that originate in the atria, the upper chambers of the heart. These competing impulses initiate chaotic muscle contractions, so instead of contracting forcefully to move the blood out, the atria quiver or "fibrillate." This can send heart rates up to 130 to 250 beats per minute, or more.

Uncontrolled AF (episodes longer than 24 hours, or extremely high or low heart rates), can place a considerable strain on your heart. Occasionally, this can lead to a heart attack or congestive heart failure. There is also a risk that blood clots may form in the fibrillating atria. This can lead to the most dreaded complication of AF: stroke.
 
So, to get back to my reader’s question, how do you know if you have AF?

The most common symptoms include a fast or slow irregular pulse that can cause chest discomfort, shortness of breath, fatigue, sweating, lightheadedness or dizziness. 
 
Or you may feel no symptoms at all. Some of my patients with AF have said, "I thought I had the flu," and others have reported feeling "strange," weak or just "different." Even a cough or light headedness can signal AF. In fact, I’ve had patients with no symptoms but a cough and they end up in heart failure.
 
The bottom line is that awareness is your best defense. If you experience either traditional or nontraditional symptoms of AF, it’s important to get it checked out right away. Prompt treatment is your best defense.

 

Now it’s your turn: Have you experienced atrial fibrillation?

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Meet Dr. Sinatra

Dr. Stephen Sinatra is a highly respected and sought-after cardiologist and nutritionist with more than 30 years of clinical practice, research, and study. His integrative approach to heart health focuses on reducing inflammation in the body and maximizing the heart's ability to produce and use energy. More About Dr. Sinatra

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