What is AFib?

Did you know atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common arrhythmia, affecting nearly 5 million people in the US?¹ And people with AFib are five times more likely to have a stroke.² It’s clear this is a prevalent, important condition to understand—especially if you’ve already been diagnosed or suspect you may have AFib.

What’s happening with your heart during AFib?

AFib is an irregular heartbeat that occurs when the upper chambers of your heartbeat out of coordination with the lower chambers, which causes your heart to beat either too slowly or too quickly. If you experience AFib, it may feel like your heart is fluttering or skipping a beat. AFib can be detected on an electrocardiogram (EKG), which records the electrical activity of your heart.

How do you know if you have AFib?

Common symptoms of AFib may include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, or feeling dizzy or lightheaded.³ However, some people may not notice any symptoms, which makes AFib hard to detect outside the doctor’s office or without a personal EKG like Kardia.

Because AFib can be hard to detect, and symptoms aren’t always predictable or noticeable, it’s helpful to have a personal EKG device that allows you to check in on your heart whenever you feel a symptom. Devices like Kardia can record medical-grade EKGs and detect AFib from home, making it easy and convenient to manage your heart health. Kardia personal EKGs are FDA-cleared to detect AFib and other common arrhythmias, including PVCs, Tachycardia, Bradycardia, and more. You can record unlimited EKGs right on your phone and even send the EKG recording to your doctor remotely.

How can you manage AFib?

Early detection and management of AFib is not only important for your heart health, but your overall health as well. Atrial fibrillation is commonly treated and managed in these ways:

• Medication: People with AFib may be prescribed medication to help control the heart’s rhythm and rate.⁴
• Surgery: In some cases, an interventional procedure called an ablation may be performed to prevent further atrial fibrillation.⁴
• Lifestyle:A heart-healthy diet, frequent exercise, and reduced stress play important roles in the management of AFib.⁴
• Kardia personal EKG: Personal EKGs like Kardia can help with the early detection of AFib, which may prevent serious heart complications.

What puts you at risk for AFib?

Your risk of developing AFib can be affected by several different factors. Common risk factors include:

• Hypertension, or high blood pressure, accounts for 1 in 5 cases of AFib.⁵
• Smoking may increase your risk of AFib because it is associated with elevated blood pressure and heart rate.⁵
• Sedentary lifestyle. Lack of exercise and routine movement may contribute to an increased risk of developing AFib.⁵
• Heart disease—such as congestive heart failure, congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease, or history of a heart attack—may increase your risk of AFib.⁶
• Age. The older you get, the more likely you are to develop AFib.⁵
• Family history. Your family history may contribute to your risk of developing AFib.⁵

Talk to your doctor about AFib

AFib is a serious heart condition and a leading cause of stroke. But with early detection and proper management, it can be treated. When it comes to your heart health, your doctor is your best resource. Talk to them about any symptoms you may be experiencing and then learn more about how Kardia personal EKGs can help you stay on top of your heart health from home.

1. ^{1. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/atrial-fibrillation/what-is-atrial-fibrillation-afib-or-af}
2. ^{2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7429041/}
3. ^{3. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/atrial-fibrillation/what-are-the-symptoms-of-atrial-fibrillation-afib-or-af}
4. ^{4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atrial-fibrillation/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350630}
5. ^{5. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11857777/}
6. ^{6. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16765-atrial-fibrillation-afib}

^{Kardia personal EKGs are not tested or recommended for use with pacemakers and ICDs. KardiaMobile personal EKGs do not check for heart attack and do not replace regular health checkups with your physician. Seek medical attention if you are experiencing any concerning symptoms or if you are having an emergency.}