Atrial fibrillation is a health problem characterized by abnormal heart rhythm. It is sometimes referred to as arrhythmia and occurs when the heart beats too slowly or too quickly. The condition develops when the heart fails to pump blood to other body parts effectively. The common symptoms of atrial fibrillation, or AFib, include breathlessness, chest pain and pressure, low blood pressure, lightheadedness, fainting, dizziness, and increased heartbeats. If the condition is not treated during the early stages, it causes complications.

A few of the common complications associated with AFib include:

1. Stroke

A healthy heart allows its atria to squeeze and push blood to the ventricles when it beats. With AFib, the atria fails to push blood to the ventricles, as they do not squeeze but rather quiver instead. When this occurs, blood tends to accumulate inside the heart leading to the formation of clots. A clot formed in the atria can travel to the brain and during the course, it can stick in the arteries. When it blocks the arteries it will hinder blood from flowing. AFib medications can treat the formation of clots.

2. Cardiomyopathy

Since AFib makes the ventricles to beat faster, it means that blood is pushed out of the heart faster. Fast beating of the heart may lead to the weakening of the cardiac muscles hence. This may lead to the heart not to pump enough blood to other body parts. The condition is known as cardiomyopathy. Drugs that can help in preventing cardiomyopathy include calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers.

3. Heart failure

AFib causes the heart to not pump blood as well as it ought to pump. It can pump the blood faster or slowly. After time, the faster pumping of the blood will cause the heart to weaken and unable to send out as much blood as the body needs. This will result in a condition known as heart failure. When your heart fails to function properly, blood accumulates in the veins of your lungs leading to symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue. To lower your chances of developing heart failure and heart attack, you should quit smoking, eat a healthy diet, and regulate your blood sugar levels.

4. Memory loss

Dementia and memory loss are common brain problems that can affect people with AFib. The condition raises your chances for stroke. A brain that experiences a shortage of blood will not function optimally and this can lead to the development of dementia and memory loss. You should consider taking blood thinners like warfarin and aspirin.

5. High blood pressure

Since the main characteristic of AFib is pumping blood at a faster or slower rate, the condition is a major risk for hypertension. When blood pressure increases, it leads to the development of hypertension, one of the chronic cardiovascular diseases. Hypertension can be managed by following a healthy lifestyle and remaining active throughout the day. If the cause is AFib, it is necessary to manage the condition first so that you restore the normal functioning of the heart.