Understanding AFib Risk Factors
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the US. Knowing this, one of the most important things you can do is keep an eye out for potential problems. Prevention is better than cures, after all.
While you might’ve heard of things like coronary artery disease and heart attacks, there are lesser-known heart diseases, such as atrial fibrillation (AFib). What is AFib? It’s when you have a fast and irregular heart rhythm.
Want to learn more about this condition, including AFib risk factors? Then read on!
AFib Risk Factors
If you have any other heart condition, then you’re at risk for AFib. This is because anything that stresses your heart can cause it to beat irregularly.
Any of the below are risk factors for developing AFib:
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Congenital heart disease
- Coronary artery disease
- Valvular heart disease
- Chronic hypertension
- Sinus node disease
- Heart surgery
- Other types of cardiac arrhythmias
Other Health Issues
Not only can cardiac problems put you at risk for AFib, but so can other health issues. For example, if you have diabetes, sleep apnea, hyperthyroidism, pulmonary embolus, or pneumonia, you have a higher risk of AFib. Even a high birth weight greatly increases the risk of developing this disorder.
In addition, the older you are, the higher the chance of you developing AFib.
Your Genetics
Unfortunately, if you have a family history of AFib, then it’s very likely you might develop this condition as well.
Is AFib hereditary though? There’s speculation that gene mutations can cause AFib, such as a change in the KCNQ1 gene.
Your Lifestyle
As with many other conditions, a bad lifestyle can pile on many risk factors for AFib. In particular, most AFib patients are both sedentary and overweight.
If you drink a lot (particularly if you binge drink), this can cause AFib. It’s possible that even moderate alcohol consumption can trigger AFib.
The good news is, so far, it doesn’t seem like caffeine is a risk factor for AFib. So you can keep drinking your coffee and tea!
Smoking is also a risk factor for AFib, as it can contribute to heart disease. If you need help quitting, there are many cessation programs available.
How to Prevent AFib
To prevent AFib from happening, lead as healthy a lifestyle as you can. Get lots of exercise, eat a wholesome diet, maintain a healthy weight, don’t smoke, and drink in moderation (or not at all).
You should also have your doctor check your cholesterol levels and blood pressure regularly so you can take the necessary steps to lower the numbers if necessary.
Get Your Heart Checked Out
Now you know what AFib is and what AFib risk factors there are.
Regardless of what your personal situation is, if things don’t feel right with your heart, it’s always worth a trip to the doctor. Even if it’s a false alarm, it’s better to have peace of mind than worry that something’s wrong with your health.
To learn more about staying healthy, keep browsing our blog page.
