problem Archives - Emirates Cardiac Society

Congenital Heart Defects

A congenital heart defect is a problem with the structure of the heart. It is present at birth. Congenital heart defects are the most common type of birth defect. The defects can involve the walls of the heart, the valves of the heart, and the arteries and veins near the heart.

millions of people alive today have some form of congenital heart defect, children are born with a heart defect each year.

Women & Atrial Fibrillation

What is Afib?

Have you ever felt your heart flutter, race or skip a beat? Most of us have at some point, But if this happens more frequently, you may have atrial fibrillation.
Atrial fibrillation (Afib) is a problem with the heart’s rhythm – the way it beats. When someone is “in Afib,” the heartbeats in a rapid, chaotic way.

What are some of the signs & symptoms?

chest pain

dizziness or feel faint While many women have one or more of these symptoms, some say they don’t experience any.

unexplained shortness of breath

very rapid or irregular heartbeats – some women say they feel their heart flip-flopping in their chests, skipping a beat or fluttering

Listen to your body, Afib can occur every once and a while (called paroxysmal atrial fibrillation) or all the time (chronic atrial fibrillation).

Either way, be sure to tell your health care provider about all of your symptoms.

Millions of Women live with atrial fibrillation (Afib). Even though it is more common in men, women with Afib are more likely to have a stroke. Untreated, Afib can also lead to heart failure and chronic fatigue.

Risk factors:

Afib is more likely as you get older. On average, women tend to develop Afib around 75 years of age (vs 67 for men). However, younger women can also have it. Other risk factors can include:

other heart problems, especially valve disease, heart failure or a history of heart attack or open heart surgery

family history

other medical conditions including thyroid problems, diabetes and sleep apnea

high blood pressure (hypertension)

Smoking

being obese

alcohol

How is Afib diagnosed?

Your doctor will first ask how you have been feeling and perform a physical exam. If you’ve noticed chest pains, breathlessness or a racing heart, be prepared to tell him or her when they happen (laying down, climbing stairs, etc.) and how often.

Your doctor may order some routine blood work and other screening.

There are a number of things you can do to live well with Afib and prevent problems.

Pay attention to risk factors for Afib, heart disease and stroke. Make sure your blood pressure and cholesterol levels are stable.

Eat a healthy diet.

Exercise regularly and monitor your weight.

alcohol, caffeine, upper respiratory infections and extreme stress.

Know what triggers an episode. Doing so will help you prevent or better anticipate Afib.
Common risks that triggers an AFib episode: alcohol, caffeine, upper respiratory infections and extreme stress.

Learn how to pace yourself. Most women living with Afib will tell you it is a livable condition

Have a plan to stay calm. Anxiety can make episodes much worse.

Take your medications as prescribed.

Know your risk of stroke & other health problems

Possible treatments include lifestyle changes and medications and/or medical procedures

blood-thinning medications to prevent clots

heart rate control medications that bring the heart rate to a normal level

heart rate control medications that bring the heart rate to a normal level

heart rhythm control medications that restore or maintain normal heart rhythm

heart rhythm control medications that restore or maintain normal heart rhythm

electrical cardioversion –paddles are applied to the chest to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm

electrical cardioversion –paddles are applied to the chest to shock the heart back into a normal rhythm

catheter ablation – wires are inserted into veins in the leg or arm and threaded to the heart to alter abnormal areas that may be causing the abnormal heart rhythm

surgical maze – small cuts are made in the heart, creating a “maze” that prevents the abnormal beats from controlling the heart. This is a very effective treatment, but because this requires open heart surgery, it is often used when other options have failed.

Afib is often an ongoing condition that needs to be managed.

It’s not a one-time episode!
Afib is often an ongoing condition that needs to be managed. Women say having regular appointments with their cardiologists and taking medicines to steady their hearts is something you need to follow to maintain a healthy life.

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