September is Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month
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Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month

Atrial fibrillation, also known as Afib or AF, is the most common type of heart arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat).  The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that up to 6 million people in the US have Afib.

StopAfib.org, a global atrial fibrillation patient organization, has helped lead the Atrial Fibrillation awareness campaign, which is designed to increase the understanding of Afib and better inform patients and health care providers about this complex condition.

When a person has Afib, the beating in the upper chambers of the heart (atria) is unpredictable and sometimes rapid. As a result, blood doesn’t flow as well as it should from the atria to the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles). Normally, the heart beats 60 to 100 times per minute. When a person has Afib, the heart rate can be as high as 175 beats per minute.

Afib itself is not life threatening. However, the irregular heartbeats associated with Afib can cause blood to collect in the heart and potentially form a clot. The clot could break free and travel to a person’s brain, causing a stroke. The National Stroke Association reports that Afib raises a person’s risk for stroke by 500%, and Afib-related strokes cause more deaths than other strokes.

Diagnosing and treating Afib may prevent 60 to 80% of strokes, according to the American Stroke Association. Sometimes people with Afib will not have any symptoms. However, others may experience one or more of the following:

  • Irregular heart beat
  • Heart palpitations (rapid, fluttering, or pounding)
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Extreme fatigue

Afib generally does not go away. Your health care team can explain the various treatment choices and help you develop a plan of care.

Treatment for Afib can include:

  • Medications to control the heart’s rhythm and rate
  • Blood-thinning medication to prevent blood clots from forming
  • Surgery

For more information, visit Atrial Fibrillation (Afib), StopAfib.org, the CDC website, or Cardiac Rhythm Disturbances.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

The STS mission is to advance cardiothoracic surgeons’ delivery of the highest quality patient care through collaboration, education, research, and advocacy.