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Understanding Atrial Fibrillation
Understanding Atrial FibrillationAs a teacher of preschool and kindergarten kids, Marlo Klorfein has her work cut out for her.It’s all the more challenging because of a heart condition.Marlo has atrial fibrillation - or A-fib - a type of rapid, irregular heartbeat, which was diagnosed about eight yearsago.“I never felt any symptoms. Occasionally I would get dizzy, but I just thought, oh, I stood up too fast.”– Marlo, PatientDizziness is a common symptom of A-fib. Others include: lightheadedness, palpitations, shortness of breath, chestpain or tightness, and fatigue.“A vast number of patients will have what we call silent A-fib or atrial fibrillation, meaning that they have nosymptoms at all. It’s found on an EKG or just a routine physical exam.”– Kimberly Champney, MD, CardiologistMarlo’s A-fib was discovered during a routine test for colon cancer.“My doctor afterwards told me to go directly to my doctor and that my heart was going nuts.” – Marlo, PatientThe heart is divided into four chambers. When it beats normally, first the upper two chambers of the heart, calledthe atria, contract, releasing blood to the lower chambers, called ventricles. Next, the ventricles contract, pushingblood to the rest of the body.These contractions are controlled by electrical impulses that travel from the atria to an area called theatrioventricular or AV node...and then to the ventricles, keeping the heart beating in a steady rhythm.A-fib occurs when the impulses spread through the atria in a rapid, chaotic way and bombard the AV node. Theventricles may contract faster and irregularly, and pump blood less effectively.“A-fib can happen in anybody, at any time but it is something that tends to happen as we get older.”- Kimberly Champney, MD, CardiologistThough the exact cause of atrial fibrillation is often unknown, risk factors in addition to older age include: High bloodpressure, underlying heart disease, diabetes, sleep apnea, and obesity.Page 1 of 2This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCHA1001595 EN UnderstandingAtrialFibrillation.pdf© The Wellness NetworkUnderstanding Atrial Fibrillation“Have you been having any palpitations? Marlo: Definitely, I’ve been having palpitations.”- Kimberly Champney, MD, CardiologistSometimes episodes of a-fib can be triggered by excessive alcohol and caffeine, stress, or anxiety.“Usually patients can maybe identify some of their triggers better than I can.”– Kimberly Champney, MD, CardiologistIn some cases, atrial fibrillation may last only a short time but continue to reappear. In others, it doesn't goaway. This is called persistent atrial fibrillation.Marlo has persistent atrial fibrillation, which has required treatment, including medications.Left untreated, A-fib can cause blood to pool in the atria because they are quivering and aren't pumpingeffectively. When blood does not circulate normally, clots may form. If a blood clot gets pumped out of theheart and goes to the brain this can lead to a stroke.A-fib can also weaken the heart, resulting in heart failure, a condition in which the heart can’t pump enoughblood to meet the body’s needs.“I try to tell people to think about atrial fibrillation like a chronic illness. It’s going to come and go and it canhave some times where it’s really driving you crazy but it’s a chronic illness that can be managed.”- Kimberly Champney, MD, CardiologistFor Marlo that also includes eating a healthful diet and staying as active as she can.“I walk every day. I swim a couple times a week. I take pilates. I live a really healthy life. My mom had astroke and her dad had a stroke. And so, I’ve seen what that looks like, and I really don’t want to go throughthat.” – Marlo, PatientPage 2 of 2This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCHA1001595 EN UnderstandingAtrialFibrillation.pdf© The Wellness Network
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