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INTEGRIS Health recognizes September as Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month. Diagnosing AFib symptoms early can prevent stroke and improve overall health and wellness.

What Is AFib?

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a common heart disorder that causes the heart to beat in a chaotic, irregular manner. This abnormal rhythm can make it difficult for the heart to pump blood efficiently throughout the body. Common symptoms can be:

• Irregular heartbeats or palpitations
• Trouble breathing
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• AFib can also be asymptomatic, which means some people cannot recognize that something is off

Atrial fibrillation can be diagnosed through physical examinations, an EKG or personal wearable device. Blood tests can also help identify any underlying issues. Knowing which symptoms warrant medical evaluation can help patients seek care before complications develop. “Some patients have severe symptoms while others have much more subtle issues such as fatigue and intolerance to activity,” says Josh Payne, M.D., a cardiac electrophysiologist at INTEGRIS Health Heart Hospital. "If you're experiencing a racing or irregular heartbeat, heart palpitations, unexplained fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness or episodes of feeling faint, don't ignore those symptoms. While they don't always mean you have atrial fibrillation, they do warrant a medical evaluation.”

Common Causes of AFib:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart failure
• Getting older
• Obesity
• Sleep apnea
• Excessive alcohol consumption

“Early diagnosis is important to reduce risk of stroke and other heart-related complications,” says Payne. “We have a comprehensive approach to create a personalized treatment plan with the goal to protect patients from stroke and improve quality of life.”

Treatments for AFib:

• Medications to control heart rate and rhythm
• Blood thinners and left atrial appendage occlusion devices to limit risk of a stroke
• Electrical cardioversion
• Minimally invasive catheter ablation procedures
• Eating healthy and abstaining from alcohol
• Cardiovascular exercise

AFib affects millions of people each year, yet people still successfully manage it with treatment and ongoing care. With the right approach, patients can remain active, reduce symptoms and protect their long-term heart health. If you or a loved one is experiencing any heart-related symptoms, visit INTEGRIS Health Heart Hospital to receive outstanding care from our doctors and specialists there.