Kakaba-kaba ka ba? Na tila wala namang dahilan ay nakararanas ka ng palpitations?
Do you experience sudden irregular heartbeat or random episodes of a flip-flopping heart that abruptly slows down?
According to heart health experts, palpitations can be triggered by stress, exercise, medication, or rarely, a medical condition. They added that although heart palpitations can be worrisome, they’re usually harmless.
Pero kapag palagi ka kinakabahan na may kasama pang hingal at mabilis na pagtibok ng puso, mainam na ikaw ay kumunsulta sa iyong doctor o sa isang cardiologist.
This is the advice of heart experts from the Philippine Heart Rhythm Society (PHRS), a medical society of 46 cardiologists (as of September 16, 2023) who subspecialized to treat patients with heart rhythm disorders including Atrial Fibrillation.
The group held the “Atrial Fibrillation Public Awareness” Press Conference on Sept. 16, 2023, at Marco Polo Hotel, Meralco Ave., Ortigas, Quezon City. The presscon was one of the highlights of the PHRS 9th Convention themed: “Cardiac Electrophysiology Reborn”. “Atrial Fibrillation Public Awareness Campaign” is the Flagship Advocacy of PHRS. There could never be a perfect time than September 16 to launch it because the first ‘ber of the year is Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month.
Heart doctors who further pursued the cardiovascular field of electrophysiology and cardiac pacing are called “electricians of the heart”.
RAPID HEARTBEAT AND ATRIAL FIBRILLATION
Rapid heartbeat that comes and goes and becomes a continuous cycle could be a case of Atrial Fibrillation (AF or AFib).
AFib means irregular heart beat. It is a common heart rhythm problem or arrhythmia but don’t be misled by it’s being a “common” abnormality per se because it can raise your chances for problems like heart failure (HF) and stroke. In layman’s term,
Better yet, have a pulse check. Do yourself a favor. And if you know someone with the same symptoms, prod him/her to seek professional help.
“AFib is a heart rhythm disorder or abnormality that usually presents as palpitations/ shortness of breath, nausea, easy fatigability, or sometimes simply as an abnormal ECG or finding of irregular pulses during checkups,” according to Dr. Erdie Fadreguilan, PHRS president.
He added that “worldwide, AFib is said to be present in up to 4 percent of adults, increasing in prevalence to up to 20 percent in those 70 and older individuals.”
Screening is highly recommended among those 75 year-olds or regardless of age, those with heart diseases/risk factors: such as HF, diabetes, previous stroke, and diseases of the blood vessels including coronary artery disease (heart artery blockage). Checkup can start with a simple checking of pulses and is later confirmed by ECG (electrocardiogram), Fadreguilan said.
Dr. Francis Marcellus Ramirez, PHRS vice president pointed out “but AFib patients are getting younger. Lately, the typical age of a person with AFib is about late 50s and early 60s. Teens and 20-somethings who have it, too, were diagnosed to have other health conditions, comorbidities, and found to have vices.”
He also said that “comorbidities like congenital defects could cause AF to manifest earlier in life. Aside from diabetes and hypertension, other metabolic disorders like hyperthyroidism, and pulmonary embolism could also be at the root of the problem”.
“Once you are diagnosed to have AFib you need treatment to prevent stroke and heart failure (HF). A procedure called catheter ablation which is done in a number of hospitals in the country can improve HF in patients with AF,” according to Dr. Luigi Pierre Segundo, PHA director and presscon moderator.
He added that “research showed that in the Philippines, among those included during the 2003 National Nutrition and Health Survey by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, 2% of adults above 70 were confirmed to have AF.”
AF CASES IN 2003, 2022 AND 2050
An article on “Gaps and Challenges in the Management of AF in the Philippines” authored by UP-PGH physicians (ref: PubMed Central, Sept. 2022) bared that “AF in SEA is estimated to range from 2.6 to 23.04%. Projections from available prevalence data predict that Asia will see a rapid increase in AF burden to an estimated 8.3 million by 2050. The incidence will escalate due to the increasing aging population and social industrialization, especially in developing countries. Even though AF is the most common sustained arrhythmia, data on the Philippines remains scarce.”
The Philippines has competent arrhythmia doctors. Admittedly, the country has limitations in research but it boasts of good cardiologists-electrophysiologists who take care of AFib patients. There are hospitals that are equipped with catheterization laboratories (cathlabs) and electrophysiology facilities. One of PHRS’ dreams is seeing more tertiary hospitals and cathlabs all over the country to give breezy access to AFib patients.
AVOID TRIGGER FACTORS
“AFib management is a multifarious method. Medications, interventional and/or invasive procedure/s and healthy lifestyle should go hand in hand, A set of healthy habits including maintaining healthy weight and sleeping pattern are non-negotiables. Time for exercise and sports (with doctor’s clearance) is sacred. Take your medicines and minerals/vitamins religiously. Always stay hydrated means increasing your fluid as in water intake, have coffee in moderation and sip wine occasionally. Watch your coffee and wine dosage,” Fadreguilan stressed.
More tips and reminders from PHRS. Adults, young adults, and teens should avoid the following because they do harm to your general health and are AFib stimulants:
- Drugs, smoking, too much alcohol and caffeine.
- Stress
The combination of school, and social dynamics can be stressful even for young people. An overwhelming dose of stress (both mental and physical) can jumpstart electrical signals.
- A lag or deficiency in magnesium, calcium, potassium; water dehydration
A good balance of minerals/vitamins; water and calories helps the body to function well.
- Poor oral/dental health.
A link between periodontal health and AFib has been established. Regular dental prophylaxis/scaling lessens AFib risks and foils infection.
