Blog Post
February 22, 2024, 11:06 AM
Silent Afib and Early Detection of AFib
Are you experiencing a sensation of fluttering heartbeat? If so, you could have a heart condition known as atrial fibrillation, or Afib. Dr. Alireza Nazeri at Mobitz Heart & Rhythm Center in Houston, TX, is a cardiologist and cardiac electrophysiologist who offers comprehensive cardiology services, including diagnosis and treatment of Afib.
What You Need To Know About Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation or Afib is an irregular heartbeat. A type of Afib, known as silent Afib, produces little to no signs or symptoms, which is why regular visits to a cardiologist are so important.
When you do experience signs and symptoms of Afib, they can include:
- Sensations of your heart fluttering
- Your heart skipping beats
- A sensation of thumping in your chest
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Weakness and fatigue
- Shortness of breath
Afib can be caused by several factors, including:
- Having a heart attack
- A congenital heart defect
- Coronary artery disease (CAD)
- Chronic high blood pressure
- Problems with heart valves
- Lung diseases
- Heart stress due to illness
- Sleep apnea
- Thyroid disease
- Stimulant use
- Viral infection
If you think you might be experiencing Afib, visiting your cardiologist for an evaluation is critical. Untreated Afib can lead to serious, even fatal consequences, including:
- Heart failure
- Blood clots
- Stroke
Your cardiologist may order cardiac tests to identify Afib. These tests may include:
- An echocardiogram–to check for structural changes in your heart
- A Holter monitor–to check heart activity
- A cardiac stress test–to measure how your heart works under stress and activity
If you are diagnosed with Afib, your cardiologist may recommend:
Medication therapy, to regulate heartbeat speed and reset your heartbeat to a normal rate. Medications include blood thinning medications, anti-arrhythmic drugs, beta blockers, and others.
Cardioversion therapy, using electrical pulses to reset your heart rate.
Cardiac ablation, to cauterize tissue and block abnormal heartbeats.
To read more detailed information about atrial fibrillation, please click here.
Want To Know More About Atrial Fibrillation?
To discover more about the signs, symptoms, and treatment of atrial fibrillation, call Dr. Alireza Nazeri at Mobitz Heart & Rhythm Center in Houston, TX. You can reach him in the office by calling (713) 909-3166, so call today.