September is National Atrial Fibrillation, better known as A-Fib, Awareness Month.
According to the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute, A-Fib is the most common type of an irregular heartbeat, when the upper and lower chambers of the heart beat out of sync. It affects more than 37 million people worldwide.
It is typically not life-threatening, but left untreated it can be life-limiting. If left untreated, A-Fib can increase your risk of stroke by 5 to 6 times.
Dr. Kevin Thomas, a cardiac electrophysiologist with the Norton Heart & Vascular Institute, said symptoms include extreme fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath or dizziness.
He adds working with your doctor can catch it and stay on top of it.
Treatment for A-Fib can range from medication and lifestyle changes to surgical treatments like implants or ablations. Thomas also said A-Fib cases in America are expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050.
Source: WAVE
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