PATIENTS & FAMILY
Who's at risk of AFib?
- Risk factors for AFib
- What you can do
What you can do
Improving your overall heart condition
For some people, AFib is unpreventable. However, maintaining a balanced, healthy lifestyle is important and can help reduce the risks of developing health disorders and heart conditions.
A healthy lifestyle includes (Graham et al. 2005; WHO 1999) :
- Stop smoking
- Control cholesterol levels with diet, exercise, and medications if necessary
- Control your blood pressure with diet, exercise and medications if necessary
- Consider a regular exercise programme (make sure you consult your doctor before starting any exercise programme).
- Eat a balanced, low fat and low sodium diet and include more fish
- Limit or avoid alcohol
Patients diagnosed with AFib may have to make significant lifestyle changes to avoid further aggravating their condition.
When to see your doctor
After you have been diagnosed with AFib, you may be able to continue leading your life as before, with or without medication, depending on the decision of your doctor. Many people who have only mild symptoms or whose arrhythmia is not causing other problems may not need to regularly see their doctor.
There may be situations, however, when you need to call your doctor. For example, you should make an appointment to see your doctor if you have (American Heart Association):
- Periods of unexplained lightheadedness, dizziness, or confusion
- An episode of fainting or you come close to fainting for no apparent reason
- Shortness of breath that is getting worse
There are some symptoms of AFib that need urgent medical evaluation.
You need to call you doctor urgently if you have (American Heart Association):
- Severe chest pain
- Experience any signs of a stroke
- Feel faint and have an irregular heartbeat
Signs and symptoms of stroke
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden, severe headache with no known cause
