What is atrial fibrillation?
0:47
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
Learn how atrial fibrillation increases stroke risk, how it's assessed in clinic, and the treatment options available—from blood thinners to ablation.
Atrial Fibrillation
Everything you need to know about atrial fibrillation AF?
1:54
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
Video Transcript
If you think you may have atrial fibrillation, also known as AF, here's everything you need to know. AF is a very common heart condition, which is essentially an irregular heart rhythm. It gets more common as we get older. And in the UK about 10% of patients over the age of 80, will have this heart rhythm abnormality.
However, we see patients from all age ranges. The number one most important thing with atrial fibrillation is getting the diagnosis, which can be done with a pulse check and ECG, and you may need other investigations in the hospital.
In terms of treatment, the single most important thing is reducing your risk of stroke. Having an irregular heart rhythm increases your risk of stroke, and the way we treat this is with blood thinners called anticoagulants. Nowadays, we may also use newer devices if you are not suitable to go onto blood thinners. What's important in AF? Well, we know now that lifestyle factors play a huge role in this.
So eating a healthy diet, exercising, looking after other conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, making sure you're not drinking too much alcohol, all these things play a really important role in AF. And by reducing your chances of developing AF, you are reducing your chances of other heart problems, such as heart failure and dementia. So it's really important to try and prevent this. If you have been diagnosed with AF, we can treat this nowadays with medications to control the heart rate or rhythm, and also newer minimally invasive procedures, which carry a very good success rate known as ablation. So, if you've been diagnosed with AF, don't worry. It's a very common condition.
There's lots we can do to help you and treat the success rate.
Is there a cure for atrial fibrillation?
0:20
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
We can manage atrial fibrillation with medications, which help control the rhythm or reduce episodes. However, for a more long-term solution, we use procedures like ablation and radiofrequency ablation. These techniques have a high success rate, especially depending on the type of atrial fibrillation a patient has.
Can I refer myself for an atrial fibrillation consultation?
0:44
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
What does atrial fibrillation look like on an ECG?
0:43
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
An ECG, or electrocardiogram, is a 12-lead test that records your heart's electrical activity from different angles. It provides insight into how your heart is functioning electrically. When your heart is in a normal rhythm, the ECG will show a regular pattern.
In atrial fibrillation, however, the rhythm is chaotic, and the spikes representing heartbeats appear at irregular intervals. This causes the ECG to look uneven. Additionally, we don’t see the typical P waves, which are signals from the top chambers of the heart (the atria) during normal rhythm. In atrial fibrillation, this absence of P waves further indicates the irregularity.
Atrial fibrillation and stroked animation video London Heart Clinic
0:54
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?
0:25
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
Who is at risk with atrial fibrillation?
0:17
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
I still have symptoms after an ablation procedure
0:35
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
What are my options if I have atrial fibrillation but don’t want blood thinners?
0:38
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
How long do I need to wait for a diagnosis high?
0:22
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
What are the risk factors for atrial fibrillation?
0:41
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
What are my options if I’ve had atrial fibrillation for a long time?
1:04
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
What can I do to help atrial fibrillation?
0:43
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
What can I do to help atrial fibrillation?
Atrial Fibrillation
How is atrial fibrillation diagnosed?
0:50
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
Dr Syed Ahsan explains that atrial fibrillation can be easy to diagnose. Your pulse will be checked, and if it is irregular you will undergo an ECG or a longer period of monitoring.
Atrial Fibrillation
How can I prevent atrial fibrillation?
0:39
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
Dr Syed Ahsan lists some of the ways to prevent atrial fibrillation by following a healthy lifestyle, drinking less, quitting smoking, and following a Mediterranean diet.
Atrial Fibrillation
What are the diagnostic tests for atrial fibrillation?
0:34
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
Dr Syed Ahsan lists some of the diagnostic tests for atrial fibrillation, including an ECG, longer monitoring with a 24 hour to 1-week ECGs, or an echocardiogram.
Atrial Fibrillation
How does atrial fibrillation increase the risk of stroke?
0:31
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
Dr Syed Ahsan explains that atrial fibrillation increases the risk of stroke because the irregular heartbeat allows blood to pool and clot in a sac near the heart. The clots can then travel to the brain and cause a stroke.
Atrial Fibrillation
How long does atrial fibrillation take to diagnose?
0:22
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
Typically, appointments are available promptly. In emergencies, we will try to see you within 24 to 48 hours, but for most patients, your appointment will be scheduled for a few days’ time. Dr. Syed Ahsan will ensure you can get any tests that are required organised very quickly, often on the same day. You'll get the results of these tests and any other follow-ups within a matter of days.
Atrial Fibrillation
Is atrial fibrillation genetic?
0:27
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
Dr Syed Ahsan advises that atrial fibrillation can be genetic, and so he would ask you first for a detailed family history.
Atrial Fibrillation
What is the difference between atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation?
0:41
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
Dr Syed Ahsan, Consultant Cardiologist explains the differences between an atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation. Whereas an atrial flutter is a fast regular beating, atrial fibrillation is an irregular chaotic heart rhythm. Both conditions increase your risk of stroke and need to be taken seriously.
Atrial Fibrillation
Can I reduce my chances of developing AF?
0:47
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
There are many things that can increase your risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), including environmental factors, like smoking or drinking, or a family history. However, you can lower your risk. Dr. Syed Ahsan, a leading expert in heart rhythm disorders, advises maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, moderate alcohol intake, and a balanced diet to reduce your chances of developing AF. Addressing conditions like high blood pressure and sleep apnoea further lowers your risk of developing AF, so speak to us today.
Atrial Fibrillation
What causes atrial fibrillation?
0:26
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
Bart’s Heart Centre Consultant Cardiologist, Dr Syed Ahsan, explains that atrial fibrillation gets more common as we get older, and the risk of developing AF can be increased by hypertension, heart disease, and previous heart attacks.
Atrial Fibrillation
What are the triggers for atrial fibrillation?
0:49
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
If you have atrial fibrillation, it's important to understand your triggers and how to prevent episodes. In this video, Dr. Syed Ahsan describes some of the common triggers, including alcohol and stress, and who is more likely to trigger their AF. However, everyone's triggers are different, and you may have none at all. Visit our atrial fibrillation condition page to learn about the factors that increase your AF risk.
Atrial Fibrillation
What preventative measures are there atrial fibrillation?
0:23
Dr. Syed Ahsan
Video Description
Dr. Syed Ahsan, Consultant Cardiologist and Heart Rhythm Specialist, advises that the most important preventative measure for anyone with atrial fibrillation is to take blood thinners, and that new options are available.
Atrial Fibrillation
Is atrial fibrillation dangerous?
0:30
Dr Syed Ahsan
Video Description
Dr Syed Ahsan explains that atrial fibrillation is dangerous, as it can strokes and periods of long hospitalisation.
Atrial Fibrillation