You may wonder if there’s any encouraging news for a heart condition like atrial fibrillation (Afib), especially considering it makes you five times more likely to have a stroke.
The answer is yes. The facts are reassuring and hopeful. In most cases, Afib is preventable and treatable. Laura Fernandes, MD, FACC, at Woodlands Heart and Vascular Institute, provides exceptional care at every stage, protecting your health and helping you live your best life.
Here are four key facts about Afib along with tips to help protect your heart:
Not all cases of Afib are preventable. But most are. You can substantially lower your risk and prevent Afib if you take steps to avoid the condition’s most common causes.
Afib develops when the heart’s electrical system is damaged, resulting in chaotic contractions in the heart’s upper chambers (the atria).
The damage is frequently caused by cardiovascular conditions that are preventable, such as high blood pressure (hypertension), coronary artery disease, and heart failure.
You can prevent these conditions (and most chronic health problems) by:
Other health conditions that may cause the damage responsible for Afib are either preventable or can be treated in time enough to prevent heart damage. Examples of conditions that increase your risk of Afib include diabetes, thyroid disease, sleep apnea, and chronic kidney disease.
While we can’t cure Afib, we can provide advanced treatments that manage the condition and slow or stop its progression. But first, seeking help at the earliest sign of a problem is essential.
Signs of Afib include:
Don’t wait to schedule a heart evaluation if you have any signs. The earlier you seek treatment, the better your chances of preventing the disease from getting worse.
When Afib first begins, most people have occasional, brief episodes. Without treatment, it progresses to a permanent condition that’s difficult to manage.
After diagnosing Afib, your personalized care usually begins with lifestyle changes and medications that stabilize the heart rate and prevent blood clots.
Minimally invasive procedures can restore the heart’s natural rhythm or prevent blood clots from leaving the heart and causing a stroke.
Risk assessments and heart screenings are the key to preventing Afib or getting early treatment. A risk assessment reveals your chances of developing Afib.
During an assessment, we evaluate:
We also complete a physical and cardiovascular exam and run blood tests to identify any abnormalities that indicate risks for Afib.
A heart screening goes a step further, using techniques like ultrasound (echocardiogram) and electrocardiograms to identify the early signs of heart problems.
Afib shouldn’t limit your life. In fact, staying active is crucial to managing the condition and staying healthy.
Exercise helps to reduce Afib symptoms, lower your risk of stroke and other heart conditions, and maintain a healthy weight.
However, if you were just diagnosed with Afib, we discuss whether you need to wait until your heart stabilizes before starting or continuing vigorous activities.
Whether you’re wondering if you might be at risk for Afib (or any other heart condition), you have symptoms, or you need expert management for existing Afib, we can help.
Call Woodlands Heart and Vascular Institute today or request a heart appointment online to start your journey toward improved wellness.
