A healthy heart is vital to a long life. Aging individuals recognize that link, and many take steps to protect their heart health, which may include changing their diets or exercising with greater frequency.
Recognizing certain threats to heart health is another important step individuals of all ages can take as they seek to live long, healthy lives. One such threat is atrial fibrillation, which is often referred to as “AFib.” Johns Hopkins Medicine notes AFib is a type of abnormal heartbeat caused by extremely fast and irregular beats from the upper chambers of the heart. Johns Hopkins notes a person with AFib may have a heart that beats more than 400 times per minute, which is caused by faulty electrical signals that make the atria (the two upper chambers of the heart) contract much faster than normal.
The American Heart Association reports that AFib increases the risk of heart-related death and stroke. But individuals may be curious about their risk for AFib. Though some of the risks for AFib, such as family history, may be beyond an individual’s control, others can be managed with the goal of reducing the likelihood of developing the condition. The AHA notes that people who have one or more of the following conditions are typically at higher risk for AFib.
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¥ Age: Age is a significant risk factor for AFib. Johns Hopkins notes that adults older than 50 are at elevated risk for AFib. In addition, the AHA reports that medical researchers suspect the number of AFib cases will rise considerably in the coming years as people are living longer. Recognition of age as a significant risk factor for AFib might compel more individuals to take additional risk factors for the condition more seriously.
- High blood pressure: The AHA reports that longstanding, uncontrolled high blood pressure can increase a person’s risk for AFib. This link between AFib and high blood pressure underscores the need for annual health examinations, which often uncover the condition known as “the silent killer” due to the fact that it does not necessarily produce noticeable symptoms.
- Existing heart conditions: Heart valve problems; hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is marked by a thickening of the walls of the heart chamber; acute coronary syndrome, an umbrella term used to refer to conditions in which blood supplies to the heart are suddenly blocked; and a history of heart attack are just some of the heart conditions that increase a person’s risk for AFib. Anyone with a personal or family history of these and other heart conditions is urged to discuss AFib with their physicians.
- Alcohol consumption: Binge drinking increases risk for AFib, according to the AHA. The organization defines binge drinking as five drinks in two hours for men and four drinks in two hours for women. If individuals want to consume alcohol, Johns Hopkins emphasizes the need for moderate consumption, which is defined as one drink or less per day for women or two drinks or fewer per day for men.
- Activity levels: Though physical activity is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle, the AHA notes that AFib is common in athletes. The condition can be triggered by a rapid heart rate known as supraventricular tachycardia, which can be a byproduct of exercise.
AFib can pose a serious threat to individuals from all walks of life. Recognition of that threat and how to reduce AFib risk can be part of anyone’s long-term health regimen.
