ATRIAL FIBRILLATION: DAILY ALCOHOL CAN INDUCE IRREGULAR HEART RHYTHM

WHAT IS IRREGULAR HEAR RHYTHM?

Atrial fibrillation is a common type of irregular heart rhythm. Typically, it causes episodes of very fast, irregular heartbeats, which may or may not cause many symptoms. Atrial fibrillation can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and increase your risk for heart failure and stroke.

WHAT IS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN ALCOHOL AND ATRIAL FIBRILLATION?

Studies have suggested that people who regularly drink a lot of alcohol are more likely to develop a life-threatening irregular heart rhythm, called atrial fibrillation, than non-drinkers. Drinking more than a moderate amount of alcohol daily (two drinks for men, one for women) greatly increases your risk for atrial fibrillation.

WHO IS AT RISK FOR ATRIAL FIBRILLATION?

The more a person drank, the higher their risk for atrial fibrillation. Specifically, the risk for atrial fibrillation increased 8% for each standard drink containing 10 grams of alcohol. In other words, one drink per day increases your risk of atrial fibrillation by 8% and two drinks per day increases your risk by 16%.

It's not exactly known how alcohol use leads to atrial fibrillation. Some believe that alcohol itself causes biological changes that affect the heart's ability to maintain a normal rhythm. Others say that long-term, excessive alcohol use is known to lead to heart failure, and that makes irregular heart rhythms more likely.

HOW TO PREVENT ATRIAL FIBRILLATION?

Some steps you can take to reduce or prevent atrial fibrillation are:

• Get regular physical activity
• Eat a heart-healthy diet, low in salt, saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol
• Manage high blood pressure
• Avoid excessive amounts of alcohol and caffeine
• Don’t smoke
• Control cholesterol
• Maintain a healthy weight

All of these goals aide in the prevention of (reducing the risk for) heart disease, and will help keep your circulatory system in the best condition.

Other underlying conditions may need treatment because they can contribute to the onset of AFib:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Sleep apnea
• Thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism)
• Diabetes
• Chronic lung disease
• Other heart conditions (heart attack, heart valve disease, or heart failure)
• Family history
• Obesity

WHEN TO CALL A DOCTOR?

Call doctor or emergency services, if you experience any of the symptoms, Call or other emergency services immediately if you:

• Have symptoms of a heart attack, such as chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, and nausea.
• Have symptoms of a stroke, such as sudden vision changes; trouble speaking; or numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of movement in your face or an arm or a leg.
• Feel faint and have an irregular heartbeat.
• An irregular heart rate.
• Heart palpitations.
• Periods of unexplained light-headedness, dizziness, or confusion.
• An episode of fainting or you come close to fainting for no apparent reason.
• Shortness of breath that gets worse with exercise.

WHY KIMS?

KIMS, one of the best cardiac hospitals in Hyderabad, offers full range, cutting edge treatment for arrhythmia and tachycardia. With the best cardiologist in Hyderabad also the best heart specialist doctors in Hyderabad, we are here to help your heart and provide with necessary interventions to help keep your heart healthy.