Chances are you've heard that being overweight dramatically increases your risk of heart disease. Though not as common, being underweight also affects your heart health. Take a few moments to learn how your weight leads to serious heart problems.
If you’ve noticed a fluttering sensation in your chest, it could be a sign of atrial fibrillation. Approximately 2 million Americans experience this condition that develops when your heart beats irregularly, which causes the upper and lower chambers to move out of sync.
Unfortunately, having atrial fibrillation can increase your risk of heart attack and stroke, so understanding this serious condition and avoiding episodes could help save your life.
Michael Avaricio, MD, and his team at Advanced Cardiac Care PLLC n the Ozone Park area of Queens, New York, can diagnose and treat atrial fibrillation.
Anyone can develop atrial fibrillation, but it’s most common in seniors and affects nearly 10% of men and women over age 65 at some level.
Several factors can cause atrial fibrillation, including:
When you have atrial fibrillation, an episode can cause the heart to start beating abnormally. This interferes with the normal flow of blood into the lower chambers of the heart, and fluid can start to pool and clot.
If a clot forms in your heart and travels to your brain, it can cause a stroke.
The best way to prevent atrial fibrillation is by making healthy lifestyle changes that reduce unnecessary stress on your heart and improve your overall health.
Being overweight increases your chances of atrial fibrillation by 20-25% — and these numbers jump to 60% if you’re obese. Taking steps to reach and maintain a healthy weight can help prevent episodes of atrial fibrillation.
Losing weight, exercising, reducing stress — and taking medication if needed — can all help you lower your blood pressure, which can also help reduce your chances of atrial fibrillation or suffering a stroke.
Having prediabetes or diabetes increases your risk of developing atrial fibrillation. By making the right dietary choices and taking medication, if necessary, you can address these risks and protect your health. Limiting your consumption of caffeine and alcohol may also help.
Untreated health problems, like anxiety, thyroid problems, sleep apnea, and other chronic conditions can put added stress on your heart. Therefore, it’s crucial to work closely with your provider to identify these issues and treat them to reduce your risk of having atrial fibrillation.
If you have atrial fibrillation and it’s causing problems, lifestyle changes alone may not be able to adequately protect your heart. At Advanced Cardiac Care, PLLC, we can design a personalized treatment strategy to keep your heart rhythm regular, prevent blood clots, and reduce your risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke.
Don’t ignore your symptoms of atrial fibrillation; call our office at 718-737-9132, or book your appointment online with us today.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Chances are you've heard that being overweight dramatically increases your risk of heart disease. Though not as common, being underweight also affects your heart health. Take a few moments to learn how your weight leads to serious heart problems.
High blood pressure gets its nickname the “silent killer” honestly. You may have no symptoms until you experience a heart attack or stroke. Keep reading to learn what problems can develop if you leave hypertension untreated.
Chest pain can come from many different sources, some urgent and some less so, but you should always treat it seriously. Keep reading to learn about heart-related reasons for chest pain.
A stroke, which is a blockage of the arteries leading into or within the brain, can be life-threatening. Learn all about the risk factors and the steps you can take to prevent having a stroke.
Hypertension is called the silent killer, because it produces no symptoms until it reaches a crisis point. Knowing which factors affect hypertension can help you adjust your lifestyle to keep your blood pressure in check.
Atherosclerosis is a circulatory system disease that can lead to life-threatening conditions such as a heart attack or stroke. Keep reading to learn more about the dangers this silent disease causes.