Pacemakers and atrial fibrillation
Published in NJ Heart and Lung News
Atrial fibrillation, often referred to as arrhythmia, is defined as having an irregular heartbeat. It can cause various heart conditions, including heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. When the heart functions properly, the muscles in the atria (the upper chambers of the heart) completely empty the blood contained in them into the ventricles (the lower chambers of the heart). However, when the electronic signals that cause the atria to contract function in a chaotic manner, blood can remain in the atria. Blood that remains in the atria can form a life-threatening clot.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are approximately 6 million adults in the United States currently living with atrial fibrillation. The condition is age-related: only 2% of people younger than 65 years old have atrial fibrillation, while 9% of people over the age of 65 have it. In general, the older the population, the greater the risk of atrial fibrillation.
The main risk factors for atrial fibrillation are:
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Lung or kidney disease
- Sleep apnea
- Stress and anxiety
When atrial fibrillation cannot be controlled by medications or behavioral modification, a pacemaker may be required. A pacemaker is a small electronic device which adjusts the electronic pulses of the heart, causing the heart to beat in a steady, regular rhythm. The surgery required to insert a pacemaker is considered relatively minor and safe.
Since prolonged atrial fibrillation can cause permanent damage to an individual's internal organs, as well as increase their risk of a heart attack or stroke, the importance of a pacemaker cannot be overstated. As mentioned above, the procedure to implant a pacemaker is relatively simple — but the effect it can have on a person's life is profound. When a person has a pacemaker implanted, many of the symptoms they may have been experiencing — including fatigue, shortness of breath, general weakness, and chest pain — will disappear.
Although aging tends to turn atrial fibrillation into a lifelong condition, pacemakers are a highly effective treatment. They tend to be relatively risk-free, and can help individuals with afib lead longer, healthier, and happier lives.
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