Atrial Fibrillation: What Puts You at Risk and How to Avoid It.
Age, obesity, height and sleep apnea are among the risk factors for AFib.
By Konstantinos N. Aronis, M.D. and Erin Michos, M.D., M.H.S. Nov. 30, 2016, at 6:00 a.m.
As the most common electrical problem that disrupts the beating of the heart, atrial fibrillation carries health risks that can lead to strokes and even a greater risk of death. InPart 1 of this two-part series, we discussed the problems associated with atrial fibrillation and how to treat it. Here, in Part 2, we discuss risk factors that can lead to atrial fibrillation and how to prevent it.
What Are Risk Factors for Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia of the heart that carries serious health threats including stroke, heart failure and blood clots. By understanding and treating risky factors that can lead to atrial fibrillation, we can prevent this potentially devastating condition.
Age is the most important risk factor for atrial fibrillation; older adults are more likely to get AFib. Obesity is the most important modifiable risk factor for atrial fibrillation. For every increase of five units of body mass index, the risk of atrial fibrillation increases by 10 to 30 percent. Obstructive sleep apnea is also associated with higher risk for AFib. Other risk factors are body height – taller people are more likely to get atrial fibrillation – diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease and other types cardiovascular disease. Patients with coronary artery disease, heart failure and disease of the heart valves are more likely to develop atrial fibrillation. Patients with an overactive thyroid gland are also at high risk of developing atrial fibrillation. Heavy alcohol consumption and smoking are associated with it, too.
What Can I Do to Prevent Atrial Fibrillation?
Lose weight. Clinical trials from Australia show that losing weight results in better chances that patients with atrial fibrillation will maintain a normal heart rhythm. Also, weight loss reduces other symptoms in patients with AFib. The beneficial effects of weight loss in reducing the risk of atrial fibrillation can last for at least five years after weight loss, provided that the weight is not regained. For patients who undergo atrial fibrillation ablation, weight loss can improve chances of maintaining normal rhythm after the procedure. The exact mechanisms of how weight loss reduces risk for AFib are unknown, but we do know that weight loss results in structural changes of the left atrium that are protective against atrial fibrillation. We recommend weight loss for anyone with a BMI over 25.
Seek treatment for your sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition during which a person intermittently stops breathing while asleep. If left untreated, one can stop breathing hundreds of times throughout the night. This results in the brain, along with the rest of the body, not receiving enough oxygen during sleep. Patients with sleep apnea typically have symptoms like loud snoring with interrupted breathing during sleep – this is usually picked up by the patient’s partner – daytime tiredness or sleepiness, falling asleep during the day, morning headaches and irritable mood. Sleep apnea is associated with a high risk of atrial fibrillation. Treatment for sleep apnea with continuous positive airway pressure, or CPAP, machines has been shown to prevent atrial fibrillation recurrence after cardioversion or atrial fibrillation ablation. Seek expert consultation if you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea or think you might have it.
Maintain a healthy diet. Although a healthy diet is important for other aspects of cardiovascular disease, it has not been associated with a reduced risk of atrial fibrillation. There are no dietary supplements that reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation. Fish oil has been extensively studied for the prevention of atrial fibrillation, but the results of multiple studies have been negative.
Take-Home Points:
1. Losing weight will help you maintain normal heart rhythm and reduce your symptoms if you have atrial fibrillation.
3. If you’re diagnosed with or suspect you have sleep apnea, seek expert consultation for evaluation and treatment with a CPAP machine, which is associated with better chances of keeping a normal heart rhythm.
4. Ensure your blood pressure is under control. Discuss lifestyle modifications and possibly medical treatment with your provider to reduce your blood pressure if need be.
5. Follow a healthy diet, which is beneficial overall for your cardiovascular health. There are no known dietary supplements or herbal medications that will reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation.
6. Avoid alcohol consumption and smoking, as they increase the risk for atrial fibrillation.
To read more about the risks associated with atrial fibrillation and how to treat this condition, see Part 1 of our two-part series.
