Feb 13, 2014 2 min read

It’s Valentine’s month and love is definitely in the air. When you think of the one you love, does your heart skip a beat?

You’ve probably heard this figure of speech, but what if the rhythm of your heart really does seem a little off?

Atrial fibrillation (Afib) is the term used to describe an irregular heartbeat. Sometimes it feels like your heart literally skips a beat, also called a palpitation. This condition is very common, affecting more than six million Americans. Even anxiety can cause heart palpitations, and many times it is not life threatening. However, it could be a warning sign of a more serious condition.

Afib can sometimes be a precursor to a stroke. “This serious complication of Afib may be devastating for a patient, and is the main reason why Afib needs to be properly treated,” says Dr. James Richardson, a cardiologist at Washington Health System Cardiovascular Care.

Sometimes Afib can cause the heart to beat too rapidly, and a patient can have heart failure or a heart attack. Alternatively, the heart could beat too slowly, causing the patient to pass out.

Though there isn’t a cure, there are many effective treatments for Afib. A pacemaker can be used to regulate the heart’s rhythm, or blood thinners can be administered to help prevent stroke. Your doctor can also prescribe medications to slow down a rapid heartbeat.

If you have experienced any of the symptoms of Afib, call Washington Health System Cardiovascular Care at 724.225.6500 or visit us on the web at whsdocs.org.