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Atrial fibrillation: Why does it affect more than 33 million people worldwide?
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an abnormal heart rhythm characterized by rapid and irregular beating of the atrium, which has attracted more and more people's understanding and attention. According to statistics, this arrhythmia has affected more than 33 million people worldwide, and this number continues to rise with age. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and associated disease risks of atrial fibrillation is critical to reducing the global health burden.
Symptoms of atrial fibrillation may include heart palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, and even loss of consciousness, which may affect the quality of daily life.
Atrial fibrillation usually begins with a brief period of abnormal heartbeats. Over time, these abnormal heartbeats may become prolonged or even persistent. Some patients may experience asymptomatic attacks, while symptomatic attacks can cause a variety of discomforts. Typical symptoms of atrial fibrillation, including palpitations and mild chest pain, are caused by an irregular heartbeat that prevents the heart from properly pumping blood.
This condition is dangerous not only because of its symptoms, but also because it is closely related to heart failure, stroke and certain types of dementia. Studies have shown that the onset of atrial fibrillation is related to multiple risk factors, among which the most common modifiable risk factors include hypertension and valvular heart disease.
The occurrence of atrial fibrillation is not only related to the urinary system, but also health problems such as stress, obesity and insomnia may contribute to this disease.
According to data, the incidence of atrial fibrillation varies in different age groups: less than 0.1% of patients under 50 years old, and as high as 14% in those over 80 years old. This phenomenon undoubtedly points to the positive correlation between atrial fibrillation and age. Therefore, the elderly need to take special precautions. At the same time, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can effectively reduce the risk of the disease.
In addition to blood pressure and heart-related diseases, risk factors include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diabetes and hyperthyroidism. Many studies have also pointed out that mental stress has an impact on atrial fibrillation, especially when these stresses are accompanied by high cortisol levels, the incidence of which may be significantly increased.
Healthy lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and increasing physical activity, can help reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation.
The diagnosis of atrial fibrillation is usually confirmed through a medical record review and an electrocardiogram. On an electrocardiogram, atrial fibrillation will show an irregular QRS waveform without P waves. For most patients, treatment consists primarily of medications to control the heart rate or restore a normal heart rhythm. Electrical cardioversion is an effective treatment for atrial fibrillation by quickly restoring a normal heart rhythm in an emergency.
For patients who are at high risk for stroke, experts often recommend anticoagulants such as warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants. While these drugs are effective in reducing the risk of stroke, they also increase the risk of major bleeding, which is an important consideration during treatment.
As the number of patients with atrial fibrillation increases worldwide, awareness of the disease and its potential dangers must attract society's attention. How can we effectively prevent and treat this common heart disease and reduce its impact on our lives?
