Feeling butterflies or fluttering in your chest can bring back fond memories of a first date or exciting news. But when fleeting emotions aren’t a factor, you’re likely experiencing heart palpitations. While usually harmless, heart palpitations can sometimes indicate a deeper health problem, such as atrial fibrillation, or AFib.
Keep a steady beat and a healthy heart by equipping yourself with information about AFib; including what it is, risk factors and how to reduce them, and symptoms you should get screened.
Robert Styperek, MD, FHRS, FACC, cardiac electrophysiologist and Rome's leading expert on AFib sees and treats patients with atrial fibrillation and other cardiac arrhythmias daily. “While very common, it can become a major health problem for some patients. It often starts when patients are in their 60s and gets progressively more prevalent as we age,” says Dr. Styperek.
What is AFib?
Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common types of irregular heart rhythms. If you have AFib, your heart beats much faster than normal. It also beats irregularly increasing stroke risk and heart failure.
“AFib is an upper chamber problem that creates an irregular rhythm, disrupting the normal electrical activity. It can become a life-threatening problem when it causes heart failure, or a blood clot which can lead to a stroke.” says Dr. Styperek.
Atrial fibrillation can be brief lasting only a few minutes or last weeks, sometimes longer. For some people, atrial fibrillation can become permanent.
AF can cause symptoms such as:
· Rapid or irregular heartbeat
· Chest pain or discomfort
· Dizziness or fainting
· Fatigue
· Shortness of breath, even at rest or when lying down
If atrial fibrillation isn’t treated, it can lead to serious health problems such as stroke and heart failure. Given the progressive nature of the condition, AFib episodes might happen infrequently at first, then progress to occur weekly or even daily.
AFib Risk Factors
Anyone can develop AFib, but certain situations or conditions can increase your risk.
Risk factors for developing atrial fibrillation include being age 50 and older, gender, having a family history of AFib, and lifestyle factors such as excessive alcohol consumption, being sedentary and obese, smoking, substance abuse and high stress levels. Other risk factors include hypertension, diabetes, previous heart attack, heart valve problems, sleep apnea, and thyroid disease.
“The prevalence of AFib has been increasing over the decades. We’re seeing more patients with AFib today than we were 20 years ago. This is due to longer population life spans and earlier and more efficient diagnosis. As well, the treatment option for AFib are markedly improved over the last 2 decades,” said Dr. Styperek.
The good news is that you can lower your AFib risk by following healthy lifestyle guidelines:
· Avoid alcohol
· Don’t smoke
· Don’t abuse drugs
· Eat a healthy diet
· Get regular exercise
· Manage stress levels
· Seek treatment for high blood pressure and diabetes
When should I be screened for AFib?
Experiencing symptoms and having risk factors warrants an AFib screening. Physicians recommend screenings for all adults aged 50 and up and those aged 40 and up with any additional health- or lifestyle-related risk factors listed above.
During an AFib screening, an electrocardiogram (EKG) is performed by placing sensors on the arms and legs to screen for irregular heartbeat.
Remember, AFib impacts more than your heart health — it can lead to serious and even life-threatening conditions such as stroke. When left unmanaged, AFib will double your risk of heart-related death and increase your stroke risk five times.
If you have concerns or new or worsening symptoms, reach out to one of our AdventHealth providers and ask about an AFib screening today.
Rome’s Only Electrophysiology Lab
The expert team at AdventHealth Redmond's dedicated electrophysiology lab — the only such lab in the area — skillfully diagnoses heart rhythm abnormalities and treats patients using some of the latest technologies and minimally invasive procedural options, including arrhythmia ablation and management, pacemakers, defibrillators, and other implantable cardiac devices.
About Dr. Styperek
Robert Styperek, MD, FHRS, FACC, is a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist at AdventHealth Medical Group Cardiology at Rome. Dedicated to patient care in Northwest Georgia since 2002, Dr. Styperek is rooted in the community and deeply committed to the care of all his patients and is driven by his compassion and desire to support their whole health. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call
Call706-249-9462 or visit GeorgiaHeartExperts.com.
