If you have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, you likely have questions about what is happening inside your chest. Understanding exactly how AFib affects your circulation, energy levels, and overall health is the first step toward managing this common heart rhythm disorder effectively.
What Exactly Is Atrial Fibrillation?
To understand what atrial fibrillation does to your body, it helps to know how a normal heart functions. A healthy heart beats in a steady, coordinated rhythm driven by electrical signals. In a patient with AFib, the electrical signals in the upper chambers of the heart, called the atria, become chaotic. Instead of squeezing forcefully to push blood down into the lower chambers, the atria quiver or fibrillate. This rapid and irregular heartbeat disrupts the entire cardiovascular system and creates a ripple effect throughout your entire body.
How AFib Affects Your Circulation
The most immediate impact of atrial fibrillation is on your blood circulation. Because the upper chambers are quivering instead of contracting properly, they fail to pump blood efficiently into the lower chambers, known as the ventricles. Consequently, the ventricles cannot pump a normal volume of oxygen-rich blood out to the rest of your organs and tissues.
This sluggish blood flow creates a significant medical risk. When blood is not moving briskly through the atria, it can pool in a small pouch called the left atrial appendage. Pooled blood is highly prone to clotting. If a blood clot forms and is pumped out of the heart, it can travel to the brain and block an artery, causing an ischaemic stroke. Medical experts note that people with AFib have a five times greater risk of stroke compared to those with a normal heart rhythm. To manage this specific circulatory risk, cardiologists frequently prescribe anticoagulant medications, commonly known as blood thinners, such as Eliquis, Xarelto, or Pradaxa.
The Impact on Your Energy Levels
If you feel constantly exhausted, your heart rhythm might be the culprit. A drop in energy levels is one of the most frequently reported symptoms of atrial fibrillation. This profound fatigue happens for two main reasons.
First, because your circulation is compromised, your muscles and organs are simply not receiving the optimal amount of oxygen and nutrients they need to function at their best. Everyday tasks like walking up a flight of stairs, doing yard work, or even carrying groceries can suddenly feel incredibly draining.
Second, your heart is working much harder than it should. During an AFib episode, your heart rate can spike to 100 to 175 beats per minute, even while you are resting. This means your heart muscle is running a marathon while you are sitting still, which naturally leaves you feeling physically depleted and weak.
What AFib Does to Overall Heart Health
Living with untreated atrial fibrillation can lead to long-term consequences for your overall heart health. The heart is a muscle, and like any muscle, it can become overworked and damaged.
When the heart beats too rapidly for weeks or months at a time, the heart muscle can weaken. This condition is referred to by doctors as tachycardia-induced cardiomyopathy. If the heart muscle becomes too weak to pump blood adequately to meet the body’s needs, it can eventually lead to congestive heart failure. Signs that AFib is impacting your overall heart function in this way include severe shortness of breath, sudden weight gain from fluid retention, and noticeable swelling in your lower legs, ankles, or feet. To protect the heart muscle, doctors often prescribe rate-control medications like Metoprolol or Diltiazem to slow the heart rate down to a safe range.
Recognising the Physical Symptoms and Monitoring
The physical sensations of AFib can be alarming. Many patients experience palpitations, which are often described as a fluttering, racing, or pounding sensation in the chest. Some individuals may also experience chest discomfort, pressure, or a mild ache.
If you report these symptoms to a doctor, they will need to see exactly what your heart is doing. To capture this data, medical professionals use wearable diagnostic tools. You might be asked to wear a Holter monitor, which involves several wires and patches attached to your chest, or a newer, more compact device like a Zio patch monitor. These devices record your heart’s electrical activity continuously for several days, allowing doctors to definitively diagnose AFib and determine the best treatment plan for your body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can atrial fibrillation go away on its own?
Yes, some people have a type called paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. In this form, the irregular heartbeat starts suddenly and stops on its own, with episodes lasting anywhere from a few minutes to a few days. However, even if it stops, it requires medical evaluation to prevent future complications.
What can trigger an AFib episode?
Several factors can trigger an episode in susceptible individuals. Common triggers include high levels of stress, excessive caffeine intake from coffee or energy drinks, alcohol consumption, and underlying conditions like untreated sleep apnoea or high blood pressure.