What are the Symptoms and Dangers of Atrial Fibrillation?
This rapid, chaotic, and irregular heart beat can result in symptoms that include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, palpitations, chest discomfort, and dizziness. It should be noted that some people with A-fib do not experience any symptoms at all. Regardless, anyone with this condition – with or without symptoms – is at risk of one of its most dangerous side effects…stroke. What Causes Atrial Fibrillation? The exact cause of A-fib is difficult to determine but we know there are certain contributing risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and alcohol use. Additional risk actors are structural abnormalities of the heart, such as heart valve disease, coronary artery disease, previous heart attaches, and congestive heart failure. Thyroid abnormality, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism and recent heart surgery might cause A-fib. In these cases, A-fib may resolve with treatment of the underlying cause. The incidence of A-fib rises sharply with age. Estimates are that as man
