September is Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month!

September is Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month!

 

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is an irregular heartbeat that can cause blood to collect in the heart, possibly forming a clot that could cause a stroke. AFib is most common in older people but can occur at any age but is most common in people with high blood pressure, heart disease, or lung disease.

 

A normal heartbeat 60 to 100 times per minute. Patients with AFib have heart rates up to 450 beats per minute and can experience episodes lasting from minutes to hours with:

• Fluttering, racing, or a pounding feeling in the chest
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

 

Check your pulse monthly for a full 60 seconds to determine if its rhythm is regular or irregular. Immediately report an irregular pulse to your health care provider. Learn how to check your heart rate here: http://www.webmd.com/heart/taking-a-pulse-heart-rate.

 

Read more of my heart-health topics here:

• https://www.docannie.com/beans-beans-theyre-good-for-your-heart/
• https://www.docannie.com/high-fructose-high-heart-risk/

 

For more heart health tips, visit some of my favorite sites:

 

• Superfoods for the heart: http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20720182,00.html

 

• Best workouts for heart health: http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/best-workout-weight-loss-heart-health/

 

• Signs of heart attack and/or stroke: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/911-Warnings-Signs-of-a-Heart-Attack_UCM_305346_SubHomePage.jsp