Not only is exercise good, but physical inactivity is actually detrimental a sedentary lifestyle contributes to afib and may actually be an independent predictor of this condition. Exerciseįor decades cardiologists have encouraged people to exercise, because exercise reduces the risk of dying from cardiovascular causes. The good news is that for people who are overweight or obese, just a 10% reduction in weight seems to improve symptoms related to afib. Obesity also can cause obstructive sleep apnea and diabetes, both of which independently increase risk of afib. Obesity can also be a cause of new or worsening hypertension (high blood pressure), which promotes further structural changes in the heart. Several studies have shown that as we gain weight, fat is deposited in the heart (as well as other places throughout the body), and this can trigger arrhythmias, most commonly afib. Overeating can also cause inflammation via changes in hormone and cell-signaling pathways in the atria. Obesity is associated with changes to electrical signaling within the atria, as well as structural changes to the heart’s upper chambers. Obesity (defined as body mass index > 30) has been shown in multiple studies to be linked to the development of afib. One of the strongest factors associated with afib is body weight. Following is a discussion of important lifestyle factors, how they may impact afib, and what you can do. The AHA wants both doctors and patients to understand the relationship between lifestyle and afib, and to work as a team to put these lifestyle factors into practice. Modifiable lifestyle factors are so important and under-recognized that the American Heart Association (AHA) recently released a scientific statement summarizing the latest research on this topic. People with afib routinely require lifelong treatment with blood thinners, to prevent blood clots that can lead to strokes.ĭoctors are only recently understanding the importance of lifestyle factors in treating afib. Afib also substantially increases the risk of stroke, and is also associated with heart failure, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Afib commonly causes recurrent symptoms, usually palpitations and shortness of breath, and can negatively affect quality of life. Atrial fibrillation (afib) is a common heart rhythm disorder in which the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat fast and irregularly.
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