Your heart is racing and you feel weak in the knees. Your breath is coming in rapid fire, staccato movement and you can’t think straight.

Oh no, this isn’t love. It isn’t even the opening of a bad romance novel. It’ll take a trip to your healthcare provider to confirm but it may be atrial fibrillation.

What?

A heart in atrial fibrillation (AF or a-fib) doesn’t beat efficiently. It may not be able to pump enough blood out of your body causing palpitations, decreased blood pressure, weakness, lightheadedness, confusion, shortness of breath and chest pains.

What’s happening?

The Mayo Clinic explains. “During atrial fibrillation, the heart’s two upper chambers (the atria) beat chaotically and irregularly — out of coordination with the two lower chambers (the ventricles) of the heart.

“Episodes of atrial fibrillation can come and go, or you may have chronic atrial fibrillation. Although atrial fibrillation itself usually isn’t life threatening, it is a serious medical condition that sometimes requires emergency treatment. It can lead to complications. Treatments for atrial fibrillation may include medications and other interventions to try to alter the heart’s electrical system.”

A-fib is the most common type of arrhythmia affecting an estimated 2.7 million Americans last year and is on the increase because the incidence of a-fib increases as we age. And heaven knows, we’re all aging! The Centers for Disease control reports that the mortality rate from a-fib has been increasing steadily for the last 20 years.

What are the risk factors?

Risk factors include high blood pressure, emphysema or other lung diseases, congenital heart defects, diabetes, hyperthyroidism and heart disease. Exposure to stimulants such as some medications, caffeine, tobacco or alcohol can be a contributing cause as can sleep apnea, stress due to illness or viral infections. Sometimes AF is inherited.

So, what are the complications?

Number one: Stroke.

In AF the chaotic rhythm may cause the body to form clots that can dislodge from your heart, travel to your brain and cause a blockage.

Number two: Heart failure.

Uncontrolled a-fib may weaken the heart leading to a condition where your heart can’t circulate enough blood to meet your body’s needs.

Underlying conditions, such as thyroid disorders, should be treated first.

Eliminating the cause may eliminate the atrial fibrillation. However, only your practitioner can make that decision.

You may have to undergo treatment to get your heartbeat regulated. That can be accomplished simply with medication or, in more serious circumstances, with surgery.

Your clinician will give you instructions on what you can do to prevent recurring spells. They will most likely include reducing or eliminating your caffeine and alcohol consumption. That doesn’t surprise you, does it? And, you will also be advised to be careful about taking some over-the-counter medications such as cold medicines that can bring on an a-fib episode or other meds that can interact with the drugs you’re taking.

The good news is that people with a-fib can live normal, active lives. Maybe a little change in diet will be in order like reducing salt intake, but exercise is extremely beneficial and there’s no reason not to continue regular activities.

Kathy Hubbard is a trustee on Bonner General Hospital Foundation Board. She can be reached at [email protected], 264-4029.