Dig. Health | Atrial Fibrillation

Chest Pain or Trouble Breathing? It Could Be Atrial Fibrillation

By StoryStudio on January 27, 2023 12:31 PM

America has a heart problem. Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in US adults. But not all cardiac conditions are the same. Atrial fibrillation, an arrhythmia commonly known as AFib, is a heart condition affecting more than 6 million people in the U.S. If left untreated, AFib can increase the likelihood of significant health events, like stroke and heart failure. The heart health experts at the Dignity Health Heart and Vascular Institute of Greater Sacramento want to make sure that if you have an irregular heartbeat, you are evaluated and treated as soon as possible. “AFib is a dangerous medical condition that becomes more difficult to treat over time,” says Dr. Arash Aryana, Medical Director of the Cardiac Electrophysiology Laboratory and Cardiovascular Services at Dignity Health’s Mercy General Hospital. “AFib can lead to irreversible changes inside the heart. It can also lead to the formation of blood clots in the heart that result in a stroke.” Because AFib has such potentially life-threatening effects, knowing your risk and how to get treatment is very important, especially if you’re over 65; since 9% of adults over 65 years of age suffer from some type of irregular heart rhythm. Dr. Aryana walks us through the most frequently asked questions about AFib and how with the help of the heart health experts at Dignity Health, you can live a long, healthy life, even with AFib.

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AFib is a serious condition,” explains Dr. Aryana. “The abnormal quivering of the top chambers of the heart, also known as the atria, can lead to significant adverse events like stroke, heart attack, or heart failure.

What is AFib and why should I be concerned?

arteries which are the main “plumbing” or pipes that supply blood and oxygen to our vital organs. By blocking off the arteries, these clots cut off the blood supply to our vital organs resulting in life-threatening conditions such as stroke, heart attack or heart failure.

What are the causes and risk factors associated with AFib?

AFib is a heart condition in which the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat abnormally fast and erratically. This happens because in AFib, the atria receive "abnormal" electrical signals causing them to quiver (fibrillate). This interrupts the normal activation of the heart and its ability to properly pump blood throughout the body. The abnormal activation of the atria in AFib can also lead to the formation of blood clots inside the heart. These blood clots can “dislodge” or travel throughout the body and into the

Researchers are still looking into the exact causes of AFib. But there are a number of identifiable risk factors. Conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity have been linked to AFib, as have sleep apnea and lung problems like asthma and COPD. Certain conditions like diseases of the heart valves and the thyroid gland, smoking, and the use of drugs and alcohol can also be a factor on whether you develop AFib.

AFib is occasionally completely “asymptomatic,” meaning you might not even know that you have it. Otherwise, common symptoms include: chest “fluttering,” fast or irregular heart beating, uncomfortable chest sensations, dizziness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, lack of stamina, and fatigue. “Complaints of heart palpitation or irregular beating of the heart are quite common in patients with AFib,” says Dr. Aryana. “However, 30–40% of patients who present with AFib are asymptomatic and virtually unaware that they suffer from an arrhythmia.” Because AFib is dangerous even when asymptomatic, getting tested to see whether you have risk factors for this condition is a first and important, preventive step.

What are the symptoms of AFib?

There are a couple of different ways to detect AFib. An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is the most common method. Alternatively, a cardiologist may have you wear a Holter or an Event Monitor for a period of time. These tests are simple and painless. They involve attaching small stickers to your chest that record your heart rhythm. “By performing an ECG or a rhythm tracing of the heart, a clinician can diagnose an arrhythmia such as AFib even in the absence of discernable symptoms…that is, even if the patient is asymptomatic,” says Dr. Aryana. In addition, smartwatches and other wearable fitness trackers can sometimes provide simple tracings of the heart rhythm. If you experience any heart arrhythmias or abnormal chest sensations such as “fluttering” or palpitations, the heart rhythm may be tracked and monitored through the help of these types of devices. But it is important that you not attempt to self-diagnose! Even though smartwatches and wearable fitness trackers can serve as an indicator of a potential heart rhythm problem, they are not always accurate. Therefore, it is best to see a healthcare professional for additional testing and diagnosis.

How is AFib diagnosed?

AFib is a manageable condition, especially when detected early. Dignity Health offers a variety of treatment options based on personal conditions and recommendations from experts like Dr. Aryana. Treatment options include medication, such as blood thinners to prevent stroke, and medications that treat the heart rhythm. Yet, according to Dr. Aryana, medication alone has not been shown to be the definitive treatment option for AFib. “The definitive treatment consists of catheter ablation,” he says. “Catheter ablation is typically a safe, outpatient procedure during which small, ‘noodle’-like catheters are placed through the veins into the heart to map, ablate, and eliminate the sites and spots that are driving the abnormal arrhythmia. The procedure is commonly performed by freezing the sites that are targeted for ablation by way of a freezing balloon, known as the cryoballoon. In addition, heating energy through radiofrequency is also used in some patients or in conjunction. Not only can this simple procedure effectively treat atrial fibrillation, but it has been shown to improve the overall function of the heart.” As such, cryoballoon ablation is considered minimally invasive and highly effective, and due to its high level of safety and effectiveness, it has actually been approved by the FDA as ‘first-line therapy’ for the treatment of AFib. This means that it may even be performed before having to try any other treatment options, once someone has been diagnosed with AFib.

How is AFib treated?

Meanwhile, Dignity Health Heart and Vascular Institute of Greater Sacramento has the single largest Cryoballoon Ablation Program in the world. Hence, patients can trust the cardiovascular experts at Dignity Health as they are highly skilled in the latest technologies and perform more AFib ablation procedures than any other facilities or healthcare systems across Northern California. In fact, much of the ground-breaking research conducted on cryoballoon ablation of AFib over the last decade and its evolution into the way it is being performed nowadays were pioneered by physicians like Dr. Aryana who serves as an international expert and researcher, and a world-renown trainer and educator for this highly specialized procedure.

Now that you know about the dangers of AFib and the safe and effective treatment options, it is time to get checked if you have concerns. After all, it could save your life.

Use your smartwatch to track the rhythm of your heart.

By looking at an ECG, your doctor can gain insights about your heart rhythm and look for irregularities.

Learn More

Causes & Risk Factors

Symptoms

Diagnosing Atrial Fibrillation

Treatment For Atrial Fibrillation

Patient Testimonial: Dr. Aryana

Patient Testimonial: Dr. O’Neill

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