August 14, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 15 Take care: Don’t ignore atrial fibrillation When working properly, the human heart is a wonder. The heart’s two upper chambers work in conjunction with the two lower chambers to deliver blood and oxygen to every area of the body. Sometimes, the heart may beat irregularly and rapidly. This is known as atrial fibrilla- tion, commonly shortened to AF or “afib.” When a person is healthy, the atria (upper chambers) of his or her heart contract, followed by the ventricles (lower chambers) in a normal sinus rhythm. When timed perfectly, this beating enables the efficient flow of blood throughout the body. Normally, the heart beats at a rate of 60 to 100 times per minute at rest. When atrial fibrillation occurs, the electrical rhythm of the heart is not orderly and many different impulses fire rapidly at once, causing a chaotic rhythm in the atria, which can no longer effec- tively contract blood into the ventricles. The result is an irregular, fast heartbeat that may range in 300 to 600 beats per minute at rest. There is no one cause of AF, which has been linked to a number of different heart conditions. These include, but are not limited to, hypertension, coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease, and pulmonary embolism. Hyperthyroidism and excessive alcohol consumption, pneumonia and certain lung conditions also may contribute to AF. The Mayo Clinic says the older a person is, the greater his or her risk for atrial fibrillation. Among U.S. residents over the age of 80, around eight percent have AF. In many cases, AF exhibits no symptoms and a person may not realize the heart is beating erratically. Fainting, chest pain, lightheadedness, confusion, and shortness of breath may be symptoms of AF. Others with AF have reported palpitations -- the sensation of a racing heartbeat that almost seems like the heart is flopping in the chest. Very often, people spend several years with AF without knowing it. A doctor will diagnose AF through a variety of differ- ent tests. An electrocardiogram, or ECG, graphs an image of the electrical impulses traveling through the heart. This is one of the more common ways to diagnose AF. A moni- tor may be worn for a few days to continuously record the heart rhythm. Often, a person can live with AF without any prob- lems. However, there are some dangers in letting AF go untreated. Because the heart is beating irregularly, blood flow can be compromised and not pump efficiently. This can make the heart weaken and lead to heart failure. When the atria are not beating correctly, blood will not flow through them as quickly. This may cause blood to pool in the upper chambers and contribute to clot forma- tion. If a clot dislodges and gets pumped into the brain, it can cause a stroke. The Cleveland Clinic says those with AF are five to seven times more likely to have a stroke than those without AF. Treating AF may require a series of medications to prevent clots and reset the rhythm of the heart. Resetting the rhythm is known as cardioversion, which can be done with medication or through a brief electrical shock under sedation. Blood-thinning medications may be prescribed. Such medications help the blood stay thin and prevent clotting. Routine checkups may be needed while taking a blood-thinner because small cuts can result in significant blood loss. Drugs used to keep the heart rate normal and prevent future episodes of AF include sotalol, dronedarone, dofet- ilide, and amiodarone. AF may recur even when treatment is effective. It may take some time to get the right balance of treatment to prevent future bouts of AF, but there is no guarantee it won’t come back. Working in concert with a qualified doctor can make the process go more smoothly, and treat- ment with medication may need to continue throughout a person’s life.