Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of irregular heartbeat affecting many people around the world. This is an abnormal condition of firing electrical impulses which causes heart to palpitate more than its normal rate, giving higher risk of heart stroke, heart failure and other types of heart problems.
Heart is one of the most crucial organs in human body. The upper chamber of heart consist of atria,they pump blood to ventricles and strong chambers that propel the blood from heart to rest of the body.
When heart is in normal condition, atria contract at steady state. But if the signals of atria occur much more rapidly, often 350-500 times per minute, it leads to contraction of muscles. So, instead of producing anatrial beat it produces fibrillation ineffectively.
In atrial fibrillation, the atria’s electrical signals are very high and there is no formation of pulse wave.
Symptoms of Atria Fibrillation:
Many people will not recognize the condition in initial state until they have routine test called electrocardiogram. Some people may recognize by seeing the symptoms shown below.
- Chest discomfort, chest pain or pressure
- Shortness of breath
- Heart palpitations
- Irregular and fast heartbeat
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness or fainting
7 Causes of Atrial Fibrillation:
Knowing the atrial fibrillation risk factors it can help you to recognize the symptoms in early stages. Or else you can also ask your doctor to improve your heartbeat by knowing these risk factors.
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Atrial Fibrillation Increases with Heart Disease:
Heart diseases increases the formation of atrial fibrillation of about 20 percent in our body.Coronary heart disease and heart disease which affect heart valves may be the risk factor.Heart disorders that you are born with are also a risk factor of atrial fibrillation.
2. High blood Pressure increases the risk of Atrial Fibrillation:
High blood pressure and hypertension are major causes for increasing the risk of Atrial Fibrillation.High blood pressure applies the pressure on heart and it also leads to heart stroke and is a risk factor of atrial fibrillation.High blood pressure is considered as a primary complication of atrial fibrillation.
3. Atrial Fibrillation Increases with Age:
This kind of heart disorder increases with age. Compared to men, women will have more atrial fibrillation.Even though atrial fibrillation increases with age half the people who suffer with disease are younger than 75.
4. Excess Alcohol Triggers Atrial Fibrillation:
Drinking excessive alcohol is the major cause for atrial fibrillation.About 40 percent of higher risk in atrial fibrillation is found in people who drink excessive amount of alcohol. This was concluded in a recent study published by journal of American college of cardiology.
5. Heavy Thyroid Gland Will be A Risk Factor:
An over active thyroid gland which is known as hyperthyroidism can be a cause of atrial fibrillation.Hyperthyroidism attributes only 1-2 percent of atrial fibrillation.
Well both hyperthyroidism and atrial fibrillation may increase the heart rate and palpitations. The treatment for atrial fibrillation may help you to get rid of this problem.
6. Family History is also a cause of Atrial Fibrillation:
Recent studies have shown that 30 percent of people with atrial fibrillation came from family history.Genes may disrupt the flow of chemicals that regulate heart rhythm.
7. Sleep Apnea is the risk Factor of Atrial Fibrillation:
Sleep apnea is a condition where your airway collapses during sleep, causing an interruption in breathing.
Recent studies have shown that the chances of irregular heartbeats are 18 times greater in people who have sleep apnea.