Palpitations or heart flutters are a disruption in the heart’s normal rhythm. Most of the time, flutters and palpitations (i.e., arrhythmias) are a harmless, occasional occurrence. But they may happen more often and become more noticeable as you age.
If you’re distressed by heart flutters, you owe it to yourself to find out what’s causing them. In most cases, the cause is relatively harmless and often transitory, such as:
Sometimes, however, heart flutters and skipped beats are due to a type of arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation (AFib). Like palpitations, AFib is common. Researchers predict that about 12.1 million women and men in the United States will have AFib by 2050.
Our expert cardiologist, Dr. Ola Akinboboye, urges you to pay attention to any signals your heart sends you. If you’ve noticed flutters or skipped beats, he evaluates your heart’s health through stress testing and other methods at our office in Rosedale, Queens, New York.
Do you suspect your flutters may be a sign of AFib? Here’s what you should know about managing this commonly diagnosed arrhythmia.
In a normal heartbeat, your upper and lower heart chambers beat in tandem. In AFib, your upper and lower chambers beat in different rhythms, causing heartbeats that skip, are too fast, or too slow.
Researchers estimate that about 28,000 people die from AFib each year in the U.S. However, it’s mentioned on more than 200,000 death certificates per year, and may be a contributing factor in those deaths.
One of the most dangerous aspects of AFib is that when the heart’s upper chambers quiver or contract incorrectly, they don’t efficiently move the blood out of the chamber so that it can circulate through your body. Instead, some of the blood may pool in the upper chamber rather than flow into the lower chamber.
The pooled blood can form a clot that may travel to various organs, including your lungs, intestines, and brain. A clot in the brain may cause a stroke. A stroke robs your brain of oxygen, so that the brain cells start to die.
AFib can also cause heart failure or a heart attack. The symptoms of heart failure and stroke can be similar to AFib, and include fatigue, confusion, and shortness of breath.
Another serious complication of AFib is dementia. The uncoordinated heart chambers interfere with the healthy circulation of oxygen-rich blood to your brain. Without sufficient oxygen, the brain can’t function, causing problems with memory, focus, and decision-making.
Although AFib is a serious condition, with lifestyle adjustments and medication, you can manage your symptoms and prevent complications. Dr. Akinbobye customizes your treatment plan based on your individual symptoms and needs. However, some steps may include:
A Mediterranean-style diet that emphasizes fresh, whole-food ingredients can help your heart. Focus on lean protein sources, healthy fats such as olive oil, and plenty of vegetables, with some fruit as well. Avoid sugar, alcohol, and ultraprocessed foods.
Too much caffeine can raise the risk for flutters and skipped beats. However, don’t abstain altogether: A clinical trial recently demonstrated that a cup of caffeinated coffee per day reduced the symptoms of AFib by 39%.
Switching to a heart-healthy diet should help you feel fuller while nourishing your body, which could lead to weight loss. However, if you need to lose a significant amount of weight, we may recommend a weight-loss program or a short-term course of a GLP-1 Agonist.
When you have AFib, you may be leery of exercise. However, your heart needs exercise. Dr. Akinboboye determines your current fitness level and helps you design an appropriate exercise regimen. As you build strength, he modifies your routine, too.
Sleep more and stress less. If you have difficulty relaxing during the day or at night, you may benefit from meditation, deep breathing, or cognitive behavioral therapy. Stress burdens your heart, so do what you can to reduce it. Exercise also helps alleviate stress, so don’t forget your daily workout.
You should monitor your blood pressure if you have AFib. Many people with AFib have high blood pressure, which is an added risk for stroke. Also, be sure to take whatever medication your cardiologist prescribes and to stay current with refills.
Don’t ignore your heart flutters: Find out if you have AFib and learn to manage it today by phoning our helpful team at 718-208-4816 or using our online outreach form.
