There are plenty of familiar sayings that refer to the heart's rhythm - 'my heart skipped a beat', or 'it sent my heart racing' - but in reality, if your heart frequently does either, it could be a sign of a life-threatening condition.
Atrial Fibrillation (AF), which causes an irregular heartbeat, frequently goes unnoticed and undiagnosed. People with the condition, however, are up to five times more likely to have a stroke and twice as likely to die from it.
According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 250,000 Canadians are currently diagnosed with AF and many more may not be aware they have the condition. During an AF episode, the electrical signals in the heart become confused, and instead of a clear, rhythmic beat, the upper chambers of the heart contract chaotically. The heart loses its power to pump efficiently, causing blood to pool in the heart's chambers. Clots can form in this pooled blood, and may then get pumped up to the brain, lodge in an artery and cause a stroke. It is estimated that up to 15 per cent of all strokes are due to AF. This risk increases with age, so that after age 60, one-third of strokes are due to AF.
What does AF 'feel' like?
AF can be ongoing and continuous or can happen intermittently. Palpitations (an irregular and rapid heartbeat, typically experienced as a rapid thumping in the chest) are the most common symptom. Other symptoms, such as weakness, dizziness or fainting, shortness of breath or even chest discomfort, can be more vague. Some people show very clear AF symptoms; for others, there may be no symptoms at all.
People who get a rapid heart rate are more likely to notice symptoms and get help, but whether or not a person notices the symptoms, the risk of stroke is always there. For people with no symptoms, their AF may only be detected by their doctor during a visit for other medical conditions or when a physician performs other routine tests. Technology has provided doctors with new tools, such as the cardiac loop monitor, to detect AF. This monitor is a cell-phone-sized device that is worn for several days, records any episodes of unusual heart rhythms and transmits the information via telephone to a cardiologist.
The Good news about AFThe good news is that once AF is diagnosed, there are treatments that can help control the condition and reduce the risk of stroke. Medication, usually the first approach, can help restore and control the rate of heartbeat and reduce the blood's tendency to form clots. If medications do not work or cannot be used for other reasons, effective treatments (including surgery) are also available.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation's advice to Canadians is to pay attention to the other risk factors for stroke and heart disease, which can also increase the risk of AF. Healthy lifestyle changes that lower blood pressure, such as maintaining a normal weight, limiting salt intake and controlling diabetes, can help reduce the chances of developing atrial fibrillation. Being smoke-free and avoiding second-hand smoke are also important, as exposure to tobacco smoke is a common trigger for arrhythmia.
The Foundation also reminds you to be familiar with the signs of a stroke, and treat it as a medical emergency. If you experience any of the signs of stroke, call 9-1-1. Signs include: Weakness - Sudden loss of strength or sudden numbness in the face, arm or leg, even if temporary.
Trouble speaking - Sudden difficulty speaking or understanding or sudden confusion, even if temporary.
Vision problems - Sudden trouble with vision, even if temporary.
Headache - Sudden severe and unusual headache.
Dizziness - Sudden loss of balance, especially with any of the above signsThe Heart and Stroke Foundation's AF initiative "Be Pulse Aware" is now available online, at www.heartandstroke.ca/bepulseaware. It has extensive information on AF, including a link that lets you hear what an episode of AF sounds like to a doctor, and information on tests and treatments for AF.
