.htm_cmp_indust010_vbtn.gif)
HOW DO YOU GET A-FIB
(CAUSES)?
Nearly three million people
in the U.S. have A-Fib. By the year 2050, the number will be 5.6 million.71 This year there will be over
340,000 new cases in the US. A-Fib is the most common heart arrhythmia.146 Americans
over 40 have a one in four lifetime risk of developing A-Fib.82
If you've had other heart problems, this could lead to
diseased heart tissue which generates the extra A-Fib pulses.
Hypertension (high blood pressure), Congestive heart Failure, Mitral Valve disease,
and obesity132 seem to be related
to A-Fib, possibly because they stretch and put pressure on the pulmonary veins
where most A-Fib originates. Many people ("up to
40% of patients"42) get
A-Fib after open heart
surgery.
"Pericarditis"---inflammation of the pericardium, a sack-like membrane
surrounding the heart---can lead to A-Fib.
Heavy drinking may trigger A-Fib, what hospitals call
"holiday heart"---the majority of A-Fib admissions occur over weekends or
holidays when more alcohol is consumed.
Extreme fatigue, emotional
stress, severe infections, severe pain, and illegal drug use can trigger A-Fib.
Low or high blood and tissue
concentrations of minerals such as potassium, magnesium, iron and calcium can trigger A-Fib.
Thyroid problems
(hyperthyroidism), lung disease, reactive hypoglycemia, viral infections and
smoking can trigger A-Fib.
Smoking
cigarettes raises the risk of developing A-Fib even if one stops smoking,
possibly because past smoking leaves behind permanent fibrotic damage to the
atrium which makes later A-Fib more likely.129
Some
research has identified a Familial A-Fib where A-Fib is passed on genetically28
but it is relatively rare.
(Author's
theory: Some consider all A-Fib genetic in that we are born with A-Fib
triggers---usually the Pulmonary Vein Openings in the Left Atrium. They seem to
be genetically related to and similar in structure to the AV Node, the natural
pacemaker of the heart. They usually beat in sync with the AV Node. But when
impaired, they start beating on their own producing A-Fib signals. Be advised
that this is only a theory and not established medical fact.)
Some cases have been reported where antihistamines, bronchial
inhalants, local anesthetics, medications such as sumatriptan, a headache drug,132
tobacco use, MSG, cold
beverages, high altitude, and even sleeping on one's left side or stomach are said to have triggered A-Fib.
The author used to include caffeine (coffee, tea, sodas, etc.) in this list, but
some research suggests that coffee and caffeine in moderate to heavy doses (2-3
cups to 10 cups/day) may not trigger or induce A-Fib.144,
145 Coffee (caffeine) may indeed be
antiarrhythmic and may reduce propensity and inducibility of A-Fib both in
normal hearts and in those with focal forms of A-Fib.143
(Thanks to Karl for calling our attention to these articles.)
Chocolate in large amounts may trigger attacks. Chocolate contains a little
caffeine, but also contains the structurally related theobromine, a milder
cardiac stimulant (thanks to Prof. Phil Page from the UK for this info). GERD
(heartburn) and other stomach problems (like H. pylori) may be related to or
trigger A-Fib. If so, antacids and proton pump inhibitors like Nexium may help
your A-Fib (Thanks to Ian Betts for this observation). A recent report from England suggests that the veterinary antibiotic "Lasalocid"
found in eggs and poultry meat may cause or trigger A-Fib.65
One person writes that hair regrowth products seem to trigger his A-Fib. Another
writes that the natural sweetener and sugar substitute Stevia seems to trigger
her A-Fib.
SLEEP APNEA
Recent research indicates sleep apnea (where your breathing
stops while you are
sleeping) may contribute to A-Fib, probably by causing stress to the Pulmonary
Vein openings.90 Many
people have sleep apnea and don't know it. Your significant other can tell you
if you snore a lot, which is often a sign of sleep apnea. If you have A-Fib, it
might be wise to have yourself checked for sleep apnea. (Thanks to David Embler
for this observation.)
A Pulse Oximeter, available in drug stores, can give you a
"quick" diagnosis of how much oxygen is in your blood. Below 90% would indicate
you need to have a sleep lab study. (Thanks to Rose Vernier for this info.)
If your A-Fib episodes occur usually at night, after a meal, when resting after
exercising, or when you have digestive problems, you may have Vagal A-Fib. (See
Vagal A-Fib)
Athletes are more prone to A-Fib
perhaps because
they have larger hearts where there is more room for these extra electrical
signals to develop and propagate, and possibly because of the extra pressure
they put on their pulmonary veins through aerobic exercise. A-Fib is often found
in tall people, particularly basketball players.89 Men get
A-Fib more than women.
A-Fib is associated with aging of the
heart. As patients get older, the prevalence of A-Fib increases, roughly
doubling with each decade. 2-3% of people in their 60s, 5-6% of people in their
70s, and 8-10% of people in their 80s have A-Fib.68,69,70
This suggests that A-Fib may be related to degenerative, age-related changes in
the heart. Inflammation may contribute to the structural remodeling associated
with A-Fib.82
But
in many A-Fib cases (around 50% of Paroxysmal A-Fib44),
there is no currently discernible cause or trigger (called "Lone" or "Idiopathic A-Fib").26
(Some research suggests that inflammation may initiate Lone A-Fib.84)
(Last updated 12/15/09)