Have you ever experienced chest pain, fatigue, or failure to catch your breath? If yes, there are chances of having atrial fibrillation (AFib). Once you experience the condition, the blood stops flowing through your atria appropriately. If you are yet to receive testing, it is high time you go for one because Upper East Side atrial fibrillation is becoming a more common problem than before. Staying with untreated AFib can be annoying due to adverse complications. The following are some of the complications of atrial fibrillation you should be aware of.
Cardiomyopathy
Usually, AFib causes the ventricles to beat quickly, pushing the blood out of your heart. Such an experience is dangerous because it might weaken your heart muscles, failing to pump adequate blood to the body. Fortunately, do not worry as different medicines can treat the condition. Calcium channels and beta-blockers effectively slow your heart rate preventing cardiomyopathy.
Fatigue
Your body requires a stable supply of oxygenated blood for proper functioning. Unfortunately, you will begin feeling tired once it stops pumping adequate blood. Whenever fluids build up in the lungs due to heart failure, you are vulnerable to experiencing massive exhaustion. To manage fatigue, you should focus on managing several breaks, getting more sleep at night, and exercising.
Dementia
Atrial fibrillation can hamper the amount of oxygen reaching your brain. As a result, you are at risk of experiencing cognitive decline. Moreover, dementia varies from mild to severe, which causes complications with memory, decision-making, focusing, and learning. When you experience difficulty concentrating, you should consult your health provider for help.
Loss of Memory
Individuals with atrial fibrillation reported lower scores on memory and learning tests than those without the problem. One factor in the relationship is that AFib surges the chances of stroke that may damage the brain. Besides, the condition affects your memory by preventing your brain from receiving sufficient blood. Your healthcare provider suggests taking blood thinners such as aspirin and non-vitamin like dabigatran is integral.
High Blood Pressure
The lifestyle you live and the medication you take can influence your vulnerability to atrial fibrillation. Medication and sedentary life increase the risk of getting AFib which puts you at risk of high blood pressure. Intensive blood pressure management may decrease the risk of AFib, thus preventing serious complications, including heart attack.
Diabetes
In most cases, people with type 2 diabetes are more likely to get atrial fibrillation than those without. The excess danger for AFib surges with renal complications or poor glycaemic management. Luckily, if you have type 2 diabetes with better glycaemic control, you are at lower risk of getting AFib.
Stroke
Once your heart’s upper chambers fail to pump efficiently, like in atrial fibrillation, there is a risk of the formation of blood clots. These clots can shift to the lower chambers of the heart (ventricles) and get pumped into the blood supply to the lungs, which, in turn, blocks arteries causing a stroke. However, stroke risks depend on numerous factors such as age, history of hypertension, and diabetes.
Untreated atrial fibrillation proves devastating and dangerous to your overall health as it can lead to heart failure, among other complications. You should consult your doctor regularly for testing to avoid the chances of your underlying condition worsening. If you intend to go for testing or treatment, consider Upper East Side Cardiology in Upper East Side, New York. The center’s Satjit Bhusri offers outstanding care for patients who have survived heart failures. Visit the center today or schedule an online appointment via their platform.
