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Heart disorder significantly more prevalent than previously believed

Rising health concerns or underdiagnosis could be the case for Atrial Fibrillation, a condition linked to a significant risk of stroke. Given the potentially fatal consequences, it's reassuring that researchers are delving deeper into its aspects...

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Health issues can sometimes be misconstrued as being more prevalent or simply under-recognized....
Health issues can sometimes be misconstrued as being more prevalent or simply under-recognized. This ambiguity is observed in the case of Atrial Fibrillation, a condition associated with an elevated risk of stroke. Given the potentially lethal consequences, it's reassuring that researchers are intensifying their scrutiny...

Heart disorder significantly more prevalent than previously believed

Atrial fibrillation (AFib), a chaotic and rushing heartbeat, might not be top of mind, but it's a serious condition that's startlingly common. A research team from UC San Francisco (UCSF) has estimated that around 10.5 million adults in the US, about 5% of the population, have AFib, making it not only widespread but on a steep incline.

After analyzing medical records for nearly 30 million Californian adults from 2005 to 2019, the researchers found around 2 million diagnosed with AFib. The number of AFib cases jumped from 4.49% among those treated between 2005 and 2009 to 6.82% of patients treated between 2015 and 2019 – a significant spike.

AFib patients tended to be younger and more likely to have hypertension, diabetes, and less likely to be female. For women, it's crucial to be proactive and persistent with their doctors as a study found that over 77% of female participants with AFib symptoms waited more than a year for a proper diagnosis.

While AFib increases the risk of death by doubling mortality rates, causes multiple complications like shortness of breath, light-headedness, blood clots, and even leads to a higher risk of dementia and heart failure, the good news is that it's preventable if detected and treated early.

Putting up a fight against AFib

A few simple steps can help lower the risk of AFib:

  1. Manage conditions like hypertension and diabetes with a healthy diet, exercise, and sometimes medication.
  2. Look out for symptoms like extreme fatigue, irregular heartbeat, and dizziness, and discuss them with your doctor.
  3. Investigate vitamin D levels, as some studies suggest that taking vitamin D reduces the risk of AFib by up to 32%.
  4. Incorporate nuts into your diet regularly, as consuming them three times a week or more reportedly decreases the risk of AFib by 19%.

Bear in mind that another layer of atrial fibrillation prevention includes maintaining good health through controlling weight, abstaining from smoking, limiting alcohol, addressing thyroid disorders, ensuring proper sleep, regulating caffeine intake, and managing conditions that affect the lungs and anemia.

Editor's note: There are entirely safe and natural ways to battle blood clots, employing the power of vitamins, natural blood thinners, and potent herbs that aid in plaque removal. Discover these and other secrets for keeping your heart healthy by clicking here.

References

[1] Atrial Fibrillation Estimated to be Three Times More Common than Previously Thought – Medical Xpress[2] Minimum National Prevalence of Diagnosed Atrial Fibrillation Inferred From California Acute Care Facilities – Journal of the American College of Cardiology[3] Risk Factors for Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) – Heart Rhythm Society[4] Atherosclerosis – Cleveland Clinic

A healthy lifestyle, incorporating measures like managing conditions such as hypertension and diabetes through a balanced diet, exercise, and medication, can help lower the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib). Incorporating safe and natural methods, like Vitamin D supplements and a regular consumption of nuts, may also reduce the risk of AFib by up to 32% and 19% respectively. Ensuring good cardiovascular health through maintaining a healthy weight, abstaining from smoking, limiting alcohol, addressing thyroid disorders, ensuring proper sleep, regulating caffeine intake, and managing conditions that affect the lungs and anemia can further aid in preventing AFib.

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