Atrial fibrillation or AFib as per the American Heart Association, is an irregular heartbeat which is a quivering or abnormal heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, heart failure, and other heart-related complications that include stroke.
Individuals experiencing AFib may feel noticeable heart palpitations. Their heart may feel like it’s pounding or fluttering.
Researchers say even after irregular heartbeats are treated, they can return and the increased risk for stroke remains.
While experiencing atrial fibrillation can be frightening, this type of irregular heartbeat usually won’t have harmful consequences by itself.
The greatest danger is the increased risk for stroke.
Researchers at the University of Birmingham in the U.K. have concluded that even after an irregular heartbeat has been successfully treated, an increased risk for stroke remains.
When your heart contracts too quickly or unevenly, it can’t completely move blood from one chamber to the next.
Blood not pumped out can remain and pool in one chamber.
It can then form a clot that can be pumped out of the heart to your brain, where it can block off an artery, causing a stroke.
The main causes of AFib include genetics, diet, lifestyle, coronary artery disease, sleep disorders, inflammation, and scarring.
Photo Courtesy WatchBP.co.uk