February is American Heart Month, which marks it as the perfect time to focus on your heart health and learn more about conditions that can affect it.
This month, Dr. Henock Saint-Jacques and his team of experts at Harlem Cardiology want to highlight one of the most common (and often misunderstood) heart rhythm disorders: atrial fibrillation, often called AFib.
AFib doesn’t always cause noticeable symptoms, but it can increase your risk for serious complications if left untreated.
Take a moment and read on to learn more about AFib.
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rhythm that starts in your atria. The term “atria” refers to the upper chambers of your heart: your left atrium and your right atrium.
Instead of beating in a steady, coordinated pattern, AFib makes your atria quiver, which can interfere with normal blood flow through your heart.
AFib may occur occasionally or be persistent. However, when this happens over and over again, this irregular rhythm can strain your heart and increase the likelihood of blood clots forming.
Atrial fibrillation is more than a nuisance heartbeat. When blood pools in the atria, clots can form and travel to your brain, increasing the risk of stroke. AFib can also affect how well your heart pumps blood to the rest of your body.
Potential complications include:
The good news is that early diagnosis paired with proper treatment can help lower these risks.
Some people feel atrial fibrillation right away, while others may have no symptoms at all. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
Because AFib can be silent, routine checkups are especially important if you have risk factors.
Currently, 2.6 million Americans have AFib, but the National Blood Clot Alliance estimates that this number will jump to 12 million by the year 2050.
This begs the question: what’s driving that spike?
Atrial fibrillation becomes more common with age, but it can affect adults of all backgrounds. Your risk may be higher if you have:
As rates of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea continue to rise, atrial fibrillation is affecting more people than ever before.
Treatment for AFib is personalized based on your symptoms, overall physical health, and your stroke risk.
Care for AFib has three goals: controlling your heart rhythm or rate, reducing your risk of blood clots, and treating any underlying conditions that contribute to AFib.
You don’t have to sort through all of this on your own. Dr. Saint-Jacques works with you to develop a plan that supports both your heart health and your daily quality of life. For example, he may prescribe a blood-thinning medication (like direct-acting oral anticoagulants) to help reduce your stroke risk.
He may also recommend lifestyle changes or even surgery to help your heart beat normally.
American Heart Month is a great reminder to prioritize AFib prevention. Daily choices, such as moving for at least 150 minutes each week or eating a healthy diet to manage hypertension, can go a long way toward reducing your risk of several heart-related conditions.
If you’ve noticed an irregular heartbeat or have concerns about your heart health, a cardiology evaluation here at Harlem Cardiology in East Harlem, New York City, can help identify issues early and guide you toward the right next steps.
To schedule your exam, call our office at 646-381-2181 or click here to schedule an appointment.
