Have you ever wondered, “what causes AFib?”
Atrial fibrillation is a giant disrupter to your normal heart rhythm. If it doesn’t get treated, it could lead to a stroke, heart failure, or other conditions. And it’s becoming more common as our population ages.
Because of this, you need to be checking your heart rhythm regularly to catch it. So, what causes AFib? Here’s what you need to know about it. Read on!
Table of Contents
Electrical Abnormalities
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is an irregular heart rhythm caused by electrical abnormalities in the heart. Essentially, the electrical activity in the upper chambers of the heart (atria) is disrupted, causing the heart to beat in an irregular fashion.
AFib is caused by malfunctioning electrical signals that cause quivering or fast and ineffective contractions in the atria. These irregular electrical signals result in blood not being completely pumped out of the atria, which can cause blood clots to form.
Electrical factors within the heart are the primary cause of AFib, and the underlying cause of triggering these electrical abnormalities is often not understood.
Genetics
Genetics can play a role in what causes afib. There is some evidence that having a family history of atrial fibrillation increases the odds of developing atrial fibrillation.
Hereditary AFib is linked to several genetic conditions, such as long QT syndrome and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. These conditions can be passed down from parents to their children and can increase their risk of developing AFib.
The genetic makeup of some individuals may predispose them to higher levels of calcium in their cells, which may make them more prone to developing AFib.
If a family member has been diagnosed with AFib, it is important to be aware of risk factors and discuss hereditary AFib info with a medical professional.
Age
Age is believed to be one of the main contributing factors to developing atrial fibrillation (AFib). As individuals get older, their chance of having AFib increases significantly.
It shows that the risk of AFib doubles for every decade of life after the age of 60, and on average, people over 80 have it more than most of the time.
Also, for those individuals who have a history of heart conditions such as coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, or myocardial infarction (heart attack), their risk of AFib increases as they age.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle choices are known to have a significant impact on the onset of AFib. Tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, high levels of physical and mental stress, poor diet, and lack of exercise can lead to an increased risk of developing the disorder.
A healthy lifestyle is critical to managing and reducing the risk of acquiring AFib. This includes:
- eating a healthy diet
- avoiding tobacco intake
- avoiding excessive alcohol consumption
- reducing stress levels
- engaging in physical activities regularly
Learn What Causes Afib
By understanding what causes afib, people can take precautionary measures in order to reduce their risk of developing this potentially dangerous condition.
Speak with your doctor or healthcare professional to learn more about how to lower your risk of developing AFib.
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