Atrial Fibrillation leads to dire consequences if left untreated. It is most often associated with developing a stroke. AFib was associated with approximately 5 times the risk of developing a stroke compared to another without AFib. Furthermore, the stroke caused by AFib is often more severe and results in long-term disability and even death.
Apart from stroke, AFib may also lead to the weakening of the heart, causing a reduction in quality of life and exercise capacity.
The tricky part with AFib is that it can easily go undiagnosed. Some individuals may have no symptoms, and some may report a variety of symptoms depending on the severity and underlying risk factors. Symptoms may include:
- Heart palpitations
- Tiredness and reduced exercise capacity
- Breathlessness
- Lightheadedness
- Chest pain
This is why it is very important to go for a routine heart checkup especially if you have a history of heart diseases.