Atrial fibrillation or atrial fibrillation (AF) is a heart rhythm disorder characterized by an irregular and fast heartbeat.. Patients with atrial fibrillation may experience symptoms of weakness, palpitations, and shortness of breath.
A normal heart rate ranges from 60-100 beats per minute with a regular rhythm. In patients atrial fibrillation (atrial fibrillation), the heart rhythm becomes irregular and can be more than 100 beats per minute.
Atrial fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia or heart rhythm disorder. Symptoms can come and go, last a long time, or even be permanent. If left untreated, atrial fibrillation can lead to heart failure and stroke.
Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
Atrial fibrillation (AF) can cause symptoms of feeling tired quickly or even not cause any symptoms, so the sufferer is not aware of it. But if the heart rate is too fast, people with atrial fibrillation may experience the following symptoms:
- Weak
- Dizzy.
- Heart beat
- Chest pain
- Hard to breathe
AF may occur intermittently within minutes to hours, or occur repeatedly over the course of a week. These symptoms of AF can still go away, either on their own or with medication.
However, atrial fibrillation can also occur continuously for more than a year or even permanently. This condition requires long-term treatment to prevent stroke and heart failure.
When to go to the doctor
Check with your doctor if you experience palpitations. Your doctor will examine you to determine if your symptoms are due to atrial fibrillation.
Immediately go to the hospital emergency room if the palpitations are felt to cause chest pain and shortness of breath, because it could be a sign of a heart attack.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is at risk for someone who suffers from hypertension or heart disease. If you suffer from this disease, regularly consult a cardiologist to monitor the progress of the disease and evaluate treatment.
Causes of Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs due to disturbances in the conduction of electrical signals in the heart muscle. As a result, the heart rate becomes abnormal so that it is not optimal to pump blood throughout the body.
This electrical disturbance is thought to be caused by several factors, including:
- Consumption of caffeine or alcohol
- Consumption of cough and cold medicines
- Smoke
- High blood pressure
- Coronary heart disease
- Congenital heart disease
- Heart valve disorders
- Heart attack
- Hyperthyroidism
- viral infection
- Sleep apnea
- Metabolic disorders
- Lung disease
In addition to several factors that can cause atrial fibrillation (AF), there are conditions that can increase a person's risk of developing AF, including:
- Old age.
- Suffering from obesity or overweight.
- Have a family who also has atrial fibrillation.
Diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
After asking about the symptoms experienced and the patient's previous medical history, the doctor will perform a physical examination. During a physical examination, the doctor will check the patient's pulse and blood pressure, and listen to the patient's heart rate through a stethoscope.
To determine whether the patient is suffering from atrial fibrillation, the doctor will perform supporting examinations in the form of:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG), to see the electrical activity of the heart that becomes irregular in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).
- Holter monitor, which is a portable ECG that can record the electrical activity of the heart for 24 hours or more.
- Treadmill ECG, which is an ECG test that is performed while the patient is walking or running on a machine treadmill.
- Chest X-ray, to visually see the condition of the heart and lungs.
- Cardiac echo, to examine the shape and function of the heart in more detail.
- Blood tests, performed to check the patient's cholesterol levels, which are often elevated in someone with heart disease.
Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Treatment
The goals of AF treatment are to treat the cause, normalize the heart rate, and prevent blockages in the blood vessels, as described below.
Normalize heart rate and rhythm
In order to normalize the heart rate that is too fast and make the heart rhythm become regular, doctors can perform the following treatment methods:
- Antiarrhythmic drugs, such as beta blockers, digoxin, quinidine, amiodarone, or calcium antagonists.
- Cardioversion or electroshock of the heart.
- Cardiac ablation destroys the damaged part of the heart and disrupts the heart's electrical flow.
Even after electroshock or ablation has been done, the cardiologist can still give medication to maintain a normal heart rate.
Prevent blood clots
Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are at high risk for blood clots and blockage of blood vessels, especially in the brain (stroke). To prevent this, your doctor will prescribe anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin, apixaban, or rivaroxaban. In many cases, the patient will need the drug for the rest of his life even though his heart rate has returned to normal.
Complications of Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
Adherence to follow treatment along with regular check-ups with the doctor can reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation sufferers developing serious complications. On the other hand, if left untreated, this disease can lead to heart failure or stroke.
Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation (AF)
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is caused by many factors, making it difficult to prevent it. But in general, to prevent AF can be done by maintaining the health of the heart. Some healthy lifestyles that can be done to maintain heart health are:
- Exercise regularly.
- Maintain ideal body weight.
- Eat high-fiber foods, such as fruits and vegetables.
- Quit smoking.
- Manage stress well.
Atrial fibrillation can also be prevented by limiting alcoholic and caffeinated drinks, and being careful about taking over-the-counter cough and cold medicines. Follow the dosage and instructions for use listed on the medicine package.