Women need to be aware of this serious heart arrhythmia and the importance of early detection.
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common type of abnormal heart rhythm, causing blood clots to form in the heart and increasing the risk of stroke and heart-related complications if it is not treated.
It was commonly believed that men were more likely to develop AFib than women, but a study recently published in JAMA Cardiology indicates that a woman’s risk is actually higher.
“AFib symptoms may be subtle, so it’s important to discuss your family medical history and your risk factors with your doctor,” said Jessica Joseph-Alexis, DO, a cardiologist on the Maury Regional Health medical staff associated with Vanderbilt Heart. “Early diagnosis is key in treating AFib before it can cause serious complications.”
What complications does AFib cause if not treated?
The chaotic rhythm of AFib makes it more likely that blood clots will form in the heart. This puts you at a greater risk of having a stroke, heart failure or other heart-related complications if the condition is not treated. Since women often aren't diagnosed with AFib as early as men, it puts women at greater risk of developing these complications.
Another complication of AFib for women is that it has been shown to increase the risk of cognitive decline, as reported recently in Alzheimer’s & Dementia. The study showed that women with Afib were more likely to have mild cognitive impairment and dementia compared to women without AFib and men with or without AFib.
What are some symptoms of AFib?
AFib often doesn’t cause any symptoms. When it does, the most common symptoms are palpitations — a skipped, extra or irregular heartbeat — and shortness of breath. Even when women have AFib symptoms, they’re often attributed to stress or anxiety.
“If you have any symptoms of AFib or have other reasons to think you may have the condition, talk to your doctor about testing that can identify abnormal rhythms,” Dr. Joseph-Alexis said.
What are the treatments for AFib?
Treatment for AFib starts with assessing a patient’s risk of stroke and starting blood-thinning medications, if necessary. Appropriate medications are then given based on a patient’s symptoms and heart functions to get the heart back into a normal rhythm. Procedures such as ablation or cardioversion may also be used.
“AFib management can be complicated, but we find the best options for each patient based on their unique circumstances,” Dr. Joseph-Alexis said.
Although AFib itself usually isn’t life-threatening, the complications it may cause due to the development of blood clots may be. This is why it’s so important to be diagnosed and treated for the condition as early as possible.
Maury Regional Medical Center is recognized as a Chest Pain Center with PCI by the American College of Cardiology and holds certification in the treatment of heart failure from The Joint Commission.
The medical center’s newly renovated, state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization lab features a team of expert cardiologists who work in tandem with a highly skilled and experienced team and cutting-edge technology to investigate heart conditions and perform an array of interventional procedures.
For more information about Maury Regional’s cardiac services, visit MauryRegional.com/Heart.
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Jessica Joseph-Alexis, DO
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Date Last Reviewed: July 19, 2023
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