Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a very common heart arrhythmia. It is characterized by an irregular pulse. As the name suggests, it affects the upper part of the heart or the atriums and makes them beat at a faster rate than the ventricles. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about this condition.

Does atrial fibrillation increase the risk of a stroke?
People with AFib have a 5 times higher risk of a stroke than others. This is because the irregular beating may make blood static and cause it to pool in the left atrium. This may lead to the formation of a clot that can block an artery in the heart or travel to the brain.

Does medication for atrial fibrillation need to be taken even after the symptoms go away?
Medication should not be discontinued or changed without the doctor’s consent. A patient suffering from this condition has a high risk of stroke even when there are no noticeable symptoms. In many cases, the patient may be prescribed anticoagulant medications that can help reduce stroke risk.

Can a patient suffer from this condition without having any symptoms?
In many cases, atrial fibrillation is asymptomatic. This means that the person experiences no abnormalities that are associated with the condition. In such cases, the condition is diagnosed only during routine health check-ups. Thus, it is very important for people with a risk of AFib to get their heart checked regularly.

Is this a genetic condition?
Atrial fibrillation does run in certain families. Thus, if one person in the family has been diagnosed with the condition, other family members have a high risk of suffering from it as well. The younger the person was when the condition was first diagnosed, the higher are the chances of other family members suffering from it as well. That said, the gene that carries this disease has not yet been identified and children do not necessarily inherit this condition from their parents.

What are the symptoms to watch for?
Though many cases of AFib are asymptomatic, in others, symptoms may be quite noticeable. Common symptoms associated with this condition include

• An irregular or racing heartbeat
• Tiredness
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Anxiety
• Shortness of breath

Can atrial fibrillation be cured?
AFib can be treated and cured. The most commonly used procedures to cure this condition include Pulmonary Veins Ablation/Isolation, Maze/Mini-Maze operations, and Catheter Ablations. These procedures have high success rates and can permanently cure the condition.

Does stress cause atrial fibrillation?
AFib is caused by damage to the structure of the heart. This may be the result of other conditions such as high blood pressure or coronary heart disease. Stress plays a major role in triggering these conditions. Hence, stress may not be a direct trigger but it could indirectly lead to atrial fibrillation. If you have a high risk of developing AFib you should ideally minimize your exposure to stress and practice meditation and breathing techniques to help deal with it.