It’s a risk factor for strokes and heart disease, but atrial fibrillation continues to remain neglected in India: experts Premium

Atrial Fibrillation (Afib) is a common, yet serious heart condition that requires proper diagnosis and management strategies.

Do you sometimes feel like your heart is beating so fast that it’s going to jump out of your chest? This may last a few minutes, after which your heart rate returns to normal. If this happens often, it could mean that you may have Atrial Fibrillation or Afib, a condition where faulty electrical impulses in the heart make its upper chambers or atria, beat too fast or “quiver”, out of sync with the lower chambers (ventricles).

Atrial Fibrillation (Afib) is the commonest cardiac arrhythmia and affects millions of people across the globe, but continues to remain one of the most neglected and underrated of public health problems, despite it being an enhanced risk factor for stroke and other cardiovascular events.

Anyone can develop Afib. Advanced age being an important risk factor, the burden of this condition is set to dramatically increase in the Indian population. Afib can present with symptoms such as palpitations, dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, fatigue and intolerance to exertion . But in approximately 10% to 40% of people, Afib can be asymptomatic, with most remaining undiagnosed until an incidental diagnosis is given during a hospital visit or in the event of an acute stroke.

The abnormal rhythm that Afib causes, stops the heart from pumping as well as it should, disrupting blood flow and allowing it to pool. This increases the risk of clot formation, which is dangerous, because, these clots can travel to the brain and cause a stroke. Untreated Afib can also contribute to heart failure by impairing the heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently. Afib is also associated with significantly increased risk of myocardial infarction, dementia, chronic kidney disease and mortality.

Like many heart conditions, Afib is a progressive disease. People at higher risk of developing Afib include those at an advanced age, those who have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, sleep apnoea, hyperthyroidism, and a family history of Afib, as well as those who smoke or consume excessive alcohol.

With proper diagnosis and management, including medications to prevent clotting (anticoagulants) and control heart rhythm, most people with Afib can live normal lives. However identifying the condition itself remains the biggest barrier to its management.

Also Read:Heart failure, not stroke, is the common complication of atrial fibrillation