The aging body, compounded with
the increasing risk for stroke, contributes to different heart conditions.
Among them are arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation. It is the most common
disturbance of heart rhythm that affects about 2.6 million Americans. The
incidence of AF increases with age as well as with the accompanying heart conditions
and stroke. AF usually develops over the age of 40 in about 25 percent of men
and women. The risk increases with age usually between the ages 65 and 85 over
the whole population group. Miami cardiologist offers promising treatment to abnormal heart rhythms with
special medical interventions and other procedures that would effectively
address heart conduction conditions.
The sinoatrial (SA) node is the
main pacemaker of the heart that is located in the right atrium, the right
upper chamber of the heart. This determines the normal rhythm and the heart
rate which is normally between 80-100 beats per minute. In the case of AF,
there are rapid electrical signals originating from the cells of the right
atrium that bypass the SA node. This would eventually produce a rapid and
irregular heart rate. University of
Miami Cardiology has noted classical signs of extremely high heart rate due
to AF which include loss of consciousness (syncope), lightheadedness or
dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, and palpitations.
A serious case should be
considered in AF and it must receive urgent medical attention. With this heart
rhythm, blood clots may form due to the slow movement and the pooling of blood
in the left atrium. When pieces of these clots break and travel through
circulation to the brain arteries, stroke may occur. Clots may block cerebral
arteries impeding blood supply to the brain tissue. It won’t take long for any
signs of disorientation and loss of consciousness to manifest in patient
especially with an embolic type of stroke.
Cases of AF should always receive
special medical attention from Miami
international cardiology consultants. With their thorough knowledge and
interventions on managing heart rhythms, AF can be relieved saving the patient
from any greater risk of developing complications. With persistent AF, doctors
can prescribe medications to control the condition and convert it to a normal
heart rhythm. Special procedures involved in the management of AF include
electric shock or ablation therapy. Cases of abnormal heart rhythm should
always be reported to physicians for proper management. You must be able to
avoid increasing the risk for any complication of a persistent abnormality in
your heart function.