It’s estimated that 12.1 million Americans will be affected by atrial fibrillation by 2030, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Also known as AFib, this irregular heartbeat puts patients at risk for serious health issues like heart failure and stroke. The CDC also states the death rate from AFib as a primary or contributing cause of death has been rising for more than two decades.
Unfortunately, up to half of all patients don’t realize they have this common heart condition. That makes awareness and screening key. This AFib Awareness Month, learn the risk factors and what causes AFib, along with the latest treatment options — and share them with a friend. Doing so could save a life.
What Causes AFib?
AFib causes a rapid and irregular heartbeat, which can happen all the time (persistent AFib) or only occur in brief and intermittent episodes. This can lead to symptoms like heart palpitations, dizziness and fatigue.
The issue starts in the top chamber of the heart. When your top chambers beat too fast, they don’t empty blood properly and blood can pool in one area — a cavity known as the left atrial appendage. This can cause a blood clot to form, which can travel to your brain and cause a stroke. When your top chambers go too fast, your bottom chambers can also start to beat fast and irregularly, which is what usually causes the symptoms.
AFib Risk Factors
The risk for AFib increases steadily with age. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, people over age 40 have a one-in-four lifetime risk of developing atrial fibrillation. Additional risk factors include obesity, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, valvular heart disease, rheumatic heart disease, diabetes or metabolic syndrome, lung disease or kidney disease. Certain behaviors, like smoking and alcohol abuse, can also increase your risk for AFib.
Advancements in AFib Treatment Options
The standard approaches to AFib treatment have been medication, cardioversion and catheter ablation, but given how common AFib is, researchers are continuously evaluating the latest approaches for safe and effective patient care. Pulsed field ablation (often called “PFA”) is the latest emerging technology used to treat AFib.
During a traditional ablation treatment, a specialized cardiologist known as an electrophysiologist inserts catheters through the blood vessels into the heart to burn (radiofrequency ablation) or freeze (cryoablation) the tissue causing abnormal electrical signals in the upper chamber, or atrium. The procedure has been used for decades to create scarring that can help restore a normal heartbeat.
Instead of burning or freezing tissue, pulsed field ablation applies a controlled electrical field to heart tissues for a more precise, safer and faster procedure. Since it is non-thermal, pulsed field ablation is less likely to damage structures around the heart such as the esophagus, phrenic nerve or pulmonary veins. Because of this, patients often report minimal to no chest discomfort following the procedure.
My team of cardiologists at Ascension St. Vincent’s is excited to be the first in North Florida to offer this now FDA-approved technology to the majority of our AFib patients. I believe it has the potential to transform how we treat AFib with a much safer and more effective treatment. However, every case of AFib is different, which is why a tailored treatment plan is essential.
See Your Doctor for Annual Examination
Remember, AFib can have subtle symptoms, and up to half of all AFib patients are only diagnosed through regular exams and screenings. Take control of your heart health this AFib Awareness Month by making your yearly appointment with your doctor. And if you or a family member may have symptoms suggestive of a heart rhythm disorder, don’t wait. Speak to your primary care doctor or cardiologist as soon as possible.
Dr. Anthony Magnano is a Ponte Vedra resident and chief of cardiology at Ascension St. Vincent’s Riverside in Jacksonville. For more information on Dr. Magnano and his specialty in treating Atrial fibrillation, go to ascension.org/JaxHeart or call 904-388-1820.
