Atrial fibrillation is a form of cardiac arrhythmia which is a condition where the heart is beating abnormally. This condition can be temporary or permanent and can be a benign disorder but this can result to a more serious health condition such as stroke and a heart attack.
Symptoms of atrial fibrillation
- Weakness
- Incapable of performing exercises
- Palpitations with sensations of racing, uncomfortable and irregular heartbeat or flip-flop felt in the chest.
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
Palpitations with sensations of racing, uncomfortable and irregular heartbeat or flip-flop felt in the chest. - Lightheadedness
- Shortness of breath
- Confusion
- Pain or discomfort in the chest
Atrial fibrillation can be occasional where symptoms just come and go and lasting for a few minutes to hours and just disappear on their own. It can be persistent where the rhythm of the heart does not go back to normal.
Atrial fibrillation can be long-standing and persistent where the symptoms is continuous and last longer than 12 months and permanent where the abnormal rhythm of the heart could not be restored.
Causes
- Coronary artery disease
- High blood pressure
- Abnormal heart valves
- Heart attack
- Congenital heart defects
- Exposure to stimulants such as medications, tobacco, caffeine and alcohol
- Overactive thryroid gland or other metabolic imbalance
- Sick sinus syndrome where there is malfunctioning of the natural pacemaker of the heart.
- Previous heart surgery
- Diseases of the lungs
- Stress caused by pneumonia
- Sleep apnea
Treatment
- Take the prescribed blood thinning medications.
- Eat an anti-inflammatory diet to prevent free radial damage. Heart problems can be caused by inflammation. Foods that promote inflammation and should be avoided include refined carbohydrates and processed snacks and refined vegetable oils such as safflower, corn and soybean. Inflammatory foods also increase the risk of developing gastrointestinal disorders, thyroid disorders, autoimmune disorders such as leaky gut syndrome and diabetes.
- Avoid high-sodium foods that includes packaged and fast foods
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol to prevent worsening of the condition especially overdose of caffeine in the diet.
- Eat a healthy diet to prevent complications of heart problems such as the Mediterranean diet which lessens the symptoms of cardiovascular diseases, lower the blood sugar, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Eat fiber and antioxidant rich vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, artichokes, onions, berries and citrus fruits.
- Minimize consumption of red wine.
- Avoid being stressed to prevent inflammation and lessen the symptoms of atrial fibrillation. Get plenty of rest, sleep and perform relaxation techniques. Lower stress by avoiding smoking, caffeine and alcohol.
Disclaimer
The material posted on this page for atrial fibrillation is for learning purposes only. If you want to learn to properly deal with circulatory conditions, register for a first aid course with a training provider near you.