Did you know the human heart beats more than 100,000 times a day? At that pace, it’s no wonder you might feel your heart skip a beat or flutter from time to time. However, if you notice your heart suddenly races or if you have uneven heartbeats that last several minutes, you may have a condition known as atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation (also called AFib) is a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. Your heart’s electrical system tells your heart when to contract and pump blood to the rest of your body. With AFib, these electrical signals short circuit in a sense. This results in a chaotic, rapid heart rate. You might feel short of breath, dizzy and overly tired, although not everyone has these symptoms.
If you have AFib, it’s important to remember you’re not alone. AFib affects more than 3 million Americans. If untreated, it can lead to blood clots, stroke and heart failure. In fact, people with AFib are five times more likely to have a stroke than people without the condition.
As with other heart problems, the choices you make every day can make a difference in your symptoms and general heart health. So, stay in sync with your heart and learn more. Use this condition center to learn more about atrial fibrillation. You can also chat online with other people like you, keep up with the latest research, and get tips to help you feel your best.
