What is Atrial Fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is a heart rhythm problem that causes the upper chamber of the heart to quiver and get out of sync with the bottom chambers of the heart. Atrial fibrillation, or A-fib, can place a person at high risk for heart attack and stroke if left untreated. 

With atrial fibrillation, the SA (sinoatrial) node does not direct the heart’s electrical rhythm. Instead, many different impulses rapidly fire at once, causing a very fast, chaotic rhythm in the atria. Because the electrical impulses are so fast and chaotic, the atria cannot contract and/or squeeze blood effectively into the ventricle.

Pulmonary Vein Ablation

Pulmonary vein ablation is a treatment for atrial fibrillation. Pulmonary vein ablation is one option used to treat atrial fibrillation and may be most appropriate for patients who:

• Have continued symptoms of atrial fibrillation, despite treatment with medications
• Cannot tolerate antiarrhythmic drugs or have had complications from these drugs

The goal of treatment includes restoring a normal heart rhythm, controlling the heart rate, reducing symptoms and reducing the risk of blood clots and stroke. 

Procedure Overview

During the procedure, an energy heart doctor (cardiologist) delivers energy through the tip of the catheter to tissue that is targeted for ablation. The energy is applied in a circle around the connection of the left upper and lower pulmonary veins to the left atrium.

Risk Factors for Atrial Fibrillation

While the root cause of Afib is the misfiring of electrical signals in the heart, certain risk factors heighten the chance that atrial fibrillation will occur. These include the following:

​High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is the leading risk factor for stroke. Blood pressure is defined as the force with which blood presses against the artery walls as it circulates through the body. High blood pressure means the heart has to pump harder in order to circulate this blood. This can weaken the walls of the arteries and cause problems with circulation. 

Hypertension also causes changes in the chambers of the heart itself. The muscle of the heart’s pumping chambers (the ventricles) thickens in response to the increased pressure. The upper chambers of the heart also dilate in response to high blood pressure. Enlarged, dilated atria are more likely to develop atrial fibrillation. 

If you have Afib and high blood pressure, then you will be at greater risk for stroke. High blood pressure can be controlled by medications and lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise. Learn more about your blood pressure and about hypertension here.

 Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Coronary artery disease, or CAD, is a build-up of fat and cholesterol in the arteries that supply blood to your heart. These deposits (called plaques) grow slowly, clogging the heart arteries. If a heart artery is severely blocked, it reduces blood flow to the heart and can cause chest pain or even a heart attack. Coronary artery disease occurs over time and can be hereditary, although there are various risk factors that can play a role in its development. Learn more about coronary artery disease here.

 Heart Valve Problems

Heart valve problems (valvular heart disease) are a risk factor for Afib. Your heart’s valves are essential for proper circulation because they regulate the direction that your blood flows. The heart valves play an important part in delivering necessary oxygen to your body. Heart valves that don’t work the way they should can put your heart and other organs at risk. 

In general, heart valve disease falls into two categories: congenital valve disease, meaning it is present at birth (though some people may have no symptoms until adulthood); and acquired valve disease (which develops throughout life). Just as valve disease is a risk factor for Afib, there are many things that can increase a person’s risk of acquired valve disease. Learn more about the various types of valve disease, as well as complications, risk factors, treatments and more, here.

 Heart Attack

Heart attack is another risk factor for Afib. A heart attack is the result of a sudden and complete blockage of an artery that supplies blood to your heart. Blockages are caused by a disease process throughout the arteries in your body called atherosclerosis, in which a fatty substance (plaque) builds up in the arteries. This plaque narrows the arteries, leaving less room for blood to flow. 

Heart attacks are caused by coronary artery disease, which is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States. According to the American Heart Association, every year in the United States roughly 785,000 people will have their first heart attack. And approximately 470,000 who have had a heart attack before will have another one. Learn more about heart attacks here.

 Lung Disease

Lung disease is one of the risk factors for Afib; however, lung disease is a general term for a number of medical problems relating to the lungs. These can include the following:

• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Pneumonia
• Tuberculosis
• Pulmonary edema
• Lung cancer
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
• Pneumoconiosis
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Pulmonary embolism, when a blood clot forms in a vein in the leg (this is referred to as deep vein thrombosis) and travels through the body to the lung

These are not the only forms of lung disease; according to the American Lung Association, there are multiple forms, all with various causes, treatments and symptoms.

 Stimulants

In general, anything that stimulates the heart to beat more rapidly can increase the risk of Afib. Alcohol, caffeine, certain medications (including over-the-counter cold medicines) and tobacco are all substances that can increase your heart rate and bring on episodes of arrhythmia. Illegal drugs, such as amphetamines, methamphetamines and cocaine (among others) may also produce Afib.

 Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a risk factor for Afib. In fact, sleep apnea affects many people who have cardiovascular disease. If you have sleep apnea, your breathing may pause and then restart several times while you are sleeping. Sleep apnea is caused by temporary blockage of your breathing airway. These pauses in breathing tax the cardiovascular system. 

In addition to keeping you from getting restful sleep and contributing to exhaustion and difficulty concentrating during the day, sleep apnea can contribute to the misfiring of the electrical impulses in the heart and to episodes of atrial fibrillation.

 Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy, another risk factor for Afib, is a general term that includes diseases of the heart muscle. In cardiomyopathy, the heart becomes enlarged, thick or tough, meaning it does not beat as well. It is less able to pump blood effectively and more prone to arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation. There are several types of cardiomyopathy:

• Dilated cardiomyopathy, in which the chambers of the heart enlarge, leading to heart failure if left untreated
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, in which the heart walls are thicker and less flexible, meaning the heart is less able to beat effectively
• Restrictive cardiomyopathy, in which the ventricles progressively grow stiffer and more rigid
• Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD), a rare form of cardiomyopathy, in which the walls of the right ventricle die are replaced by scar tissue

As with heart valve disease, cardiomyopathy can be congenital or acquired. Acquired cardiomyopathy has several risk factors.

Schedule an Appointment

The medical team at Advanced Heart and Vein Center is knowledgeable and well-equipped to diagnose, treat, and manage heart rhythm problems, including atrial fibrillation. For an evaluation and treatment plan for your A-fib, call our Westminster office today.