This disorder can remain silent and only be discovered during a simple routine exam.
In France, a widespread heart rate disorder affects almost a million people and its prevalence has been increasing for the last fifty years, in particular with the aging of the population. “”It is called “epidemic of the century”: experts estimate that up to 30 % of people aged 45 and over could be affected during their lifetime. Although more frequent in men, this problem affects about as many men as women due to the higher life expectancy of womenS “, indicates in preamble the Professor Estelle Gandjbakhch, cardiologist rhythmologist at La Pitié-Salpêtrière (Paris).
This heart problem can manifest itself by various symptoms, but it can also go completely unnoticed and only discovered during a routine medical examination. The most common alert signals include palpitations, a feeling of heart racing or fluttering, as well as abnormal shortness of breath, even during minimal efforts. People with affected can also feel chronic fatigue, chest pain, dizziness or discomfort. The intensity of these symptoms varies from person to person and it is essential to consult a doctor if one of these signs is felt.
The cardiac disorder in question is atrial fibrillation (FA) which is characterized by a disorganized and chaotic contraction of the atria, the upper cavities of the heart. This irregular movement leads to a stagnation of blood, which promotes the formation of blood clots. The major risk is that a clot stands off, migrates to the brain and blocks an artery, causing a stroke (stroke). “”Concretely, having a FA multiplies by 2 to 5 the risk of making a stroke, which is the 3rd cause of mortality and the 1st cause of disability in France“, Specifies our interlocutor. It should be noted that the strokes associated with the FA are generally more serious than those not linked to the FA. Indeed, patients who survive are more likely to suffer from serious, both neurological and functional sequelae, as a paralysis or an inability to communicate
The diagnosis of atrial fibrillation is made by a simple electrocardiogram. Screening is recommended by the European Cardiology Company in people over 65. Fortunately, the risk of stroke linked to the FA can be considerably reduced by anticoagulant treatment which “fluidifies” blood to prevent the formation of clots. “”It is the cornerstone of the care“. In addition to drugs, removal techniques such as electroporation, a method that uses electrical pulses to destroy cells responsible for arrhythmia, can be used. Although an operation has a low risk, long -term profit from these interventions on the reduction in the risk of stroke and the improvement in quality of life is significant.
