The Importance of Your Heartbeat: What you don’t know could hurt you

By Edward Gerstenfeld, M.D.

Cardiac arrhythmias, or abnormal heartbeats, affect more than five million Americans and can be an important signal that something more serious is going on in a person’s heart. However, despite their prevalence and importance, arrhythmias are often misunderstood, mischaracterized and even misdiagnosed.

One of the most common types of arrhythmia is Atrial Fibrillation (AFib). AFib affects approximately 2.5 million Americans and occurs when the electrical impulses in the upper chambers of heart (the atria) become erratic and irregular. In a normal heart, the four chambers of the heart beat in a steady, rhythmic pattern. With AFib, the atria fibrillate (quiver or twitch quickly) and create an irregular rhythm. In addition because the atria are not beating properly, the blood can become stagnant in some parts of the atria, leading to clot formation and stroke.

A series of educational activities developed in conjunction with the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), aims to inform residents about the importance of understanding one’s heartbeat, AFib warning signs, symptoms and treatment options.

Healthy people with no other medical problems can develop AFib. However the condition is more likely to occur when one or more of the following conditions are present:

•Older age

•Diabetes, thyroid disease or chronic lung disease

•Other heart problems, such as high blood pressure, coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure and more

•Sleep apnea

•The use of alcohol or stimulants to excess

•A serious illness or infection

There is often confusion about what AFib actually feels like. Some patients say it feels like a “fish flopping in my chest” while others describe the sensation as “drums pounding” or “thunder rumbling.” All of these feelings can be warning signs of AFib.

While AFib is not in and of itself dangerous, if left untreated, those suffering from irregular heartbeats are five times more likely to suffer a stroke or experience additional permanent heart damage.[1]

Surprisingly, some patients have no symptoms at all with AFib. However, there are many that people can experience including:[2]

·         Feeling overtired or a lack of energy

·         Pulse that is faster than normal or changing between fast and slow and feel irregular

·         Shortness of breath

·         Heart palpitations

·         Trouble with everyday exercises or activities

·         Pain, pressure, tightness, or discomfort in your chest

·         Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting

·         Increased urination

If you suffer from any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor to assess your risk and discuss potential treatment options. To learn more about AFib, please visit the Heart Rhythm Society’s AFib website: http://www.MyAfib.org or stop by HRS’ free Cardiovascular Wellness event on Wednesday, May 7 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at Crocker Galleria. The event will include free cardiovascular risk assessments and will feature several local physicians, who will be available to answer questions. There will also be free yoga demonstrations at 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. as well as exhibits from other local organizations.

Dr. Edward Gerstenfeld is chief of the Cardiac Electrophysiology and Arrhythmia Service at University of California San Francisco Medical Center.

[1]http://www.hrsonline.org/News/AF-awareness/index.cfm

[2] http://www.hrsonline.org/Patient-Resources/Heart-Diseases-Disorders/Atrial-Fibrillation-AFib/Symptoms-of-AFib#axzz2zGA3QNaT