What is Atrial Fibrillation?

Atrial Fibrillation is a swift and irregular beating of the heart that can risk your life. You can end up having complications such as strokes, heart failure, and various other diseases. When you have this health hazard, your two upper chambers of the heart will beat in a chaotic manner; there will be no coordination between them.  The common and most noticeable symptoms are shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and extreme weakness. 

What happens to those suffering from this?

In Atrial Fibrillation, you can have constant episodes. You keep on developing it, and atrial fibrillation will not go away. This requires a proper course of treatment to reduce and control the episodes. Once you start neglecting it, you are just increasing the risks of having constant episodes in a shorter time span. It is not usually life-threatening, but when neglected, it can go on to become a major hazard to your life. You need continuous attention and medications. 

What causes it?

There are a number of causes of this health problem. Many times, abnormalities from birth or damages to the structure of the heart can play a common role. Other than that, here are a few things that may cause atrial fibrillation: - 

§  High blood pressure, hypertension

§  Abnormal valves of the heart

§  Heart attacks

§  Overactive thyroid glands or other metabolism imbalances

§  Lung diseases

§  Viral infections

§  Excessive stress due to pneumonia or illnesses similar to this

§  Excessive use of medicines, alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, drugs

§  Born with breathing problems

§  Previous heart surgeries that may not have been completely successful

Some people have lone atrial fibrillation, and the causes of that are unknown. It is quite a rare condition and needs immediate attention by a specialist. 

If you notice that you have such signs, rush to your doctor to get started with the treatment as early as possible.