AFib Treatment in San Antonio
What is AFib?
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a type of irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia that may interfere with a person’s normal blood flow. This interruption is what makes people with AFib more at risk for blood clots and stroke. AFib may either be permanent or may also come and go. It is more common in adults aged 65 and above.
At least 2.7 million Americans live with AFib, though not all experience symptoms or even know they have the condition.
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What Happens During AFib?
During AFib, the electrical signals (from a group of cells) that tell your heart to start beating become faulty. This malfunction affects two upper chambers of the heart (called atria) and causes them to quiver. It also disrupts the blood flow into the lower chambers of the heart or the ventricles and causes them to contract faster or in an irregular manner. Because of this, the ventricles may not be able to pump blood to the rest of your body as it should.
The trembling in your atria may lead to blood pooling which may further cause blood clots. These blood clots may pump out of the heart, go to the brain and cause blockages, which may then lead to a stroke.
What Causes AFib?
The exact cause of AFib remains unknown. However, some conditions that may negatively affect your heart health and eventually lead to AFib include
- Congestive heart failure
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart valve disease
- High blood pressure
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Overactive thyroid gland
- Pericarditis (inflammation of the covering of the heart)
- Thyroid disease
Heart surgery, binge drinking and taking certain medications may also lead to AFib.