New research links poor sleep to a higher odds for a dangerous irregular heartbeat which will result to Atrial fibrillation (AFib), eventually. The condition is a common heart arrhythmia that is strongly tied to an increased risk for clotting and strokes. Some of the most common AFib triggers fatigue, illness, emotional triggers, hormones, exercise, medication, alcohol, caffeine and dehydration. Now, two studies suggest that trouble getting your sleep may raise the risk for AFib.
What is Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a medical disorder that fundamentally affects the upper chambers, or atria, of the heart. Atrium (plural: atria) receive blood returning to the heart from other areas of the body. It is divided into two major phases, the right and the left atrium. People with AFib experience intermittent irregular heartbeats caused by abnormal electrical signals in the heart. The electrical impulses may erroneously circulate through the heart, causing the atria to contract in an irregular pattern.
AFib can happen because the heart's electrical system has been damaged, typically from other conditions that affect the heart. But in at least one of every 10 AFib cases, other things may be at play. According to Health Line, many people who have AFib suffer from episodes brought on by a specific trigger. Recognizing triggers and avoiding them can help you manage atrial fibrillation effectively. Your heart may beat too quickly, too slowly, or in an uneven rhythm.
Lack Of Sleep May Lead To Higher Risk For Atrial Fibrillation
Yes! Two new research ties poor sleep to higher odds of having a dangerously irregular heartbeat. The first team was led by Dr. Gregory Marcus of the University of California, San Francisco, and the second team was led by Dr. Jianqing Li, a cardiologist at Winthrop-University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y. While neither study could prove cause-and-effect, changes in a person's physiology by a disturbed sleep cycle may be the mechanism for the development of AFib.
According to Web MD, even after you've been diagnosed with AFib due to lack of sleep, you may be able to control and stop it if you know what specific cause triggers them for you. Since AFib is a problem with your heart, it's not surprising that other heart issues raise the risk of AFib, including coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, rheumatic heart disease, heart failure, weakened heart muscle, heart birth defects, inflamed membrane or sac around the heart.
