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Atrial Fibrillation Advice for Sufferers
8 Top Tips You Need to Know & What Preventive Measures You Can Take
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It is one of those conditions that many people suffer from. Unfortunately, these people don’t actually realise they have the condition.
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According to statistics, 2.6 million people suffer from Afib in the United States. But the truth is that no one really knows. Some estimates put that figure at 5 million.
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You can breeze through life without a care and feel fitter than ever. However, make no mistake – Afib can change your life forever.
Atrial fibrillation can lead to stroke, heart attack, or complete heart failure.
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General symptoms can include chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath and fatigue. You might also feel your heart skipping a beat. If you suffer from these symptoms with any regularity, it is vital to see your doctor for a check-up.
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While Afib doesn’t mean life as you know it has to end; it will change your life.
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What really happens when you receive a diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation? And what is it like living with the heart condition?
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We’re going to go through some of the basics with you today. Are you are a newcomer to the world of Afib? Do you have a relative or loved one just newly diagnosed? Whether your answer is “yes” or “no”, you should read on.
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Take a few pointers from this guide. Then use them to help you lead a healthy, happy life far into the future.
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Atrial Fibrillation Advice Tip #1
Know The Symptoms ~ Atrial Fibrillation (Afib) – What Is It?
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Afib is, in essence, an irregular or quivering heartbeat. It is caused by random contractions in the heart’s upper chambers (the atria).
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Abnormal, electrical impulses occur in the atria. These disturb the heart’s natural pacemaker. In turn, this affects the heart and it starts to contract in an unusual way.
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The contractions are much faster than usual. They occur so quickly that the heart doesn’t have time to relax between beats. This leads the heart to perform below its optimal level. It also makes the heart speed up.
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Your typical heart rate should be somewhere between 60 and 100 beats a minute. However, when you suffer from Afib, your heart rate can quicken dramatically. On occasion, hearts afflicted by Afib can beat well over 100 bpm.
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Atrial Fibrillation Advice Tip #2
Know Who Gets Afflicted by Atrial Fibrillation (Afib)?
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Afib can affect anyone of any age. However, the statistics show that the over-60s make up the majority of sufferers.
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The danger is that many people who have the condition have never been diagnosed. And these people are unlikely to get a diagnosis without first suffering from an incident.
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That said, you can develop Afib over time, and as you age. If you are over 65 years old, you have a 7 in 100 chance of being affected. You are also more likely to develop Afib if you are a man.
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Atrial Fibrillation Advice Tip #3
Know The Causes of Atrial Fibrillation
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No one knows the root causes of Atrial Fibrillation. However, many studies have been conducted on the condition for the past few decades. The studies have revealed some interesting stats.
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Afib tends to occur in certain demographics. The condition can also be triggered by activities like smoking or drinking too much alcohol.
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It’s also a condition that is brought on by other illnesses and diseases. People with heart valve problems, high blood pressure or atherosclerosis, are all more likely to suffer from Afib.
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Atrial Fibrillation Advice Tip #4
How do I know if I suffer from Atrial Fibrillation?
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But certain symptoms can give you a clue. The most obvious sign is if you feel your heartbeat skipping a beat. Or you can visibly see your heartbeat moving in your chest in an irregular fashion.
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So, watch out for heart palpitations that last for anything from a few seconds to several minutes.
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Afib can also cause dizzy spells and leave sufferers short of breath.
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If you have these symptoms combined with chest pains, it is vital you see your doctor to avoid further complications.
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Atrial Fibrillation Advice Tip #5
Are There Any Other Symptoms?
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Fatigue and feelings of weakness are also symptoms of Afib.
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However, because these problems are so generic, it can be hard to tie them in with the condition.
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That said, if you start feeling unusually tired and experience heart flutters as well, it could be a sign. Again, make sure you visit a doctor if this is the case.
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Atrial Fibrillation Advice Tip #6
What are the risks of Atrial Fibrillation?
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Your blood flow can even start to collect. If so, this can cause clots, which can lead to a stroke. All it takes is for a blood clot to break off from the artery and head up to the brain, resulting in a stroke.
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These clots can also cause the heart to fail by blocking blood flow. This can result in a heart attack.
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What’s scary is that so many people could have Afib and not even realise it. And it could cause your death in a matter of seconds.
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Some procedures can help with Afib. However, in the vast majority of cases, Afib needs to be managed.
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Drug therapy is common, but not everyone reacts in the same way to medicines.
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You might also benefit with a treatment called ablation. This is a medical process where a catheter is fed through your groin, and guided into your heart. Doctors then use a cold or hot energy to attack the tiny area of your heart where the electrical signals are causing the issue.
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On some occasions, this will work. However, most people need many ablations to see a difference.
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There is a new type of ablation treatment, however, known as Firm ablation. FIRM stands for Focal Impulse and Rotor Modulation. It’s a relative newcomer that looks promising. It is far more precise thanks to the use of advanced 3D mapping.
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If you want to know more, contact you local health authority that specializes in FIRM ablation for more information.
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Atrial Fibrillation AdviceTip #7
How Do I Live With Atrial Fibrillation (Afib)?
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The simple fact is that no one can guarantee that you won’t have a stroke or a heart attack. It can happen to fit and healthy people in a moment. It can happen to you if you have Afib. .
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However, you can reduce your chances of suffering from further issues by changing your lifestyle.
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Your doctor will go through several goals with you when he or she delivers your diagnosis. These include restoring your heart rate to a normal rhythm. Also vital is controlling an overly high heart beat, and blood clot prevention.
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You will also be advised on the various ways of managing the risks of stroke and heart failure.
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The key is to identify any triggers. Sometimes this can be as little as a cup of strong coffee, or a half-hour of light exercise.
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We’ve already mentioned some of the treatments that are available. However, there are other ways Afib sufferers themselves can make a difference.
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- plenty of leafy greens and colourful veggies
- plenty of heart-boosting fats that you find in salmon and tuna
- plenty of whole grains.
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Avoid:
- refined foods of any kind
- keep sugar intake down to a minimum
- Trans-fats
- refined, chemical salt
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All of the above ‘no-no-s’ can lead to arterial blockages.
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Atrial Fibrillation AdviceTip #8
What Do I Do For Fun?
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Atrial Fibrillation can have a significant impact on your life. As a preventive or management measure, there may be things that you enjoy now that you shouldn’t partake in anymore.
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You’ll need to be careful on nights out from now on, for example. Excessive drinking can cause you problems. Smoking cigarettes will increase your chances of stroke even more.
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Stimulants are also a no-go area – so check your medication levels. Drugs like decongestants often contain substances like pseudoephedrine. These types of medication can trigger your symptoms or cause severe discomfort.
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There is some good news, however. As long as you are careful not to overdo it, exercise can be a great way of keeping your heart in great shape.
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You might need to avoid intense exercise, though. If you are out for a run and start feeling strange, it is vital you stop pushing yourself. If you aren’t in shape, it is important to start slow and build your fitness up.
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Again, speak to your doctor about the type and intensity of exercise that will be best for your situation.
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Is there anything else I should know about Atrial Fibrillation?
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Take up gentle, meditative hobbies like yoga. It can make a big difference to your life! So look around your locale and see what you can find.
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I hope you get something out of this brief guide to Atrial Fibrillation. While a positive diagnosis can change your life, there is another way of looking at your Afib condition.
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Suffering from Afib will force you into leading a healthier lifestyle. Without it, a healthy lifestyle might be something you might never have considered otherwise.
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Finally, Afib is far from a death sentence. As long as you manage your illness, you can lead a long and healthy life for many years.
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