Manhattan Vein Specialists / Heart Specialists Explain Atrial Fibrillation

At NYCVA, many of our patients think of us primarily as NYC vein treatment specialists, because they first came to us to treat their varicose veins or other vein problems. But NYCVA is better known for its work in cardiology, so over time many of our "vein patients" become "heart patients" as well, and rely on us to help keep their hearts as healthy as we keep their veins. In this article (and another this month on Congestive Heart Failure) we will take a few moments to answer cardiology questions that are commonly asked of us by our vein patients.

What is atrial fibrillation?

Many people have heard this term, and may have even been told that they occasionally show signs of atrial fibrillation (AF) themselves, but they don't understand exactly what AF is or what it means. Fibrillation is a medical term that refers to rapid and irregular contraction of the heart muscle. Atrial fibrillation is what happens when the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) begin to fibrillate and beat very rapidly or in an erratic fashion.

During an episode of AF, the upper heart chambers fibrillate at a rate of up to 300 times a minute. This puts increased pressure on the lower chambers, which race to catch up, producing heart rates as fast as 170-180 beats per minute (a normal resting heart rate is 70-100 beats per minute). During an AF attack, blood is not pumped as efficiently, and it is common to feel tired and weak, experience palpitations (sensations that your heart is racing or pounding), feel light-headed or faint, or experience a shortness of breath. Other people can experience no symptoms at all and still be experiencing atrial fibrillation.

How prevalent is atrial fibrillation?

Sadly, it's pretty widespread – 2.66 million Americans have AF, and the CDC estimates that as many as 12 million may have it by 2050. This makes AF a grave public health concern, and one that costs America over 7 billion dollars per year in treatment costs. It is also a very personal concern if you are at risk of AF, because two of the most common complications are stroke and heart attack, and the mortality rate of both has been increasing steadily for the past two decades.

How is AF diagnosed and treated?

Because symptoms can vary or may not be present at all, the only sure way to know whether you suffer from AF is to have a checkup by cardiovascular doctors such as the specialists at New York Cardiovascular Associates. The procedures we use to diagnose AF are as gentle, painless, and non-invasive as the ones we use when providing vein treatment in Manhattan. We'll use special equipment such as an electrocardiogram (EKG) to record the heart's electrical discharges, and if the AF episodes are intermittent, may use wearable technology like Holter monitors or event recorders that can measure your heart's activity for 24 hours or longer. If the diagnosis is unclear, we can also use echocardiography (the use of ultrasound to create images of the heart), transesophageal echocardiography (which takes a series of pictures of the atria using sound waves), blood tests, and if necessary perform a stress test to see how the heart performs under load.

If we find that you do suffer from atrial fibrillation, in most cases the condition can be effectively treated using medications to control your heart rate and rhythm, other medications to thin your blood to prevent the formation of blood clots, and lifestyle changes to reduce your risk factors for AF.

But again, remember that many people with AF are symptom-free, so to be safe you should have your heart checked by the cardiovascular specialists at NYCVA. The need for a checkup is even stronger if you have family members who have had AF in the past, or if you have high risk factors for developing AF (advancing age, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, heart disease, smoking, excess weight, lack of exercise, sleep apnea, and use of alcohol and caffeine). So give our Manhattan vein specialists a call at 646-233-1838 and we'll schedule a convenient time for your checkup.

Author Bio: Noted Manhattan vein specialists and heart specialists from NYCVA discuss atrial fibrillation – what it is, how prevalent it is, and how it is treated.

For more information: www.nycva.org