September is Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month, and what better way to raise awareness than to help you recognize the early signs and symptoms of this arrhythmic condition. An estimated 3 million adults have been diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation in the U.S. and 75% of those diagnosed are between the ages of 65 and 85.
Atrial Fibrillation (AF or AFib for short) occurs when the top chamber of the heart, called the atria, goes into a fit of irregular convulsions. An adult heart is meant to rest at a pace of 60-100 beats per minute, but when the atria goes into one of these fits of quivering (a fibrillation), the heart can reach up to 400 beats per minute. These spikes in heart rate can cause a variety of signs and symptoms that you should be aware of, such as:
- Pounding or fluttering in your chest. Ideally your heart should beat without you noticing it. If you are consciously aware that your heart is beating heavily or irregularly, this could be a sign of AFib.
- Chest pain or discomfort.
- Shortness of breath or lightheadedness. When your heart is beating four times faster than it should, you may notice that you have trouble catching your breath or easily become lightheaded.
- Fatigue or lack of energy. A heart that is already beating past its capacity will not be able to sustain extra stress from excessive movement.
- Dizziness or confusion.
- Sweating.
Even those with a healthy heart can experience isolated symptoms like these listed, but sometimes they are caused by a serious condition such as Atrial Fibrillation. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms regularly or are concerned about the health of your heart, contact us today. Doctor Dilip Mathew is the premier cardiac EP specialist in Sarasota & Venice, specializing in a variety of treatments for Atrial Fibrillation.
