ATRIAL FIBRILLATION — THE MOST COMMON ARRHYTHMIA TYPE — is associated with a modest increase in dementia risk. This heightened risk is present whether or not the atrial fibrillation caused a stroke. Today we explore the relationship between irregular heart rhythms and dementia.
A new University of Washington (USA) study suggests that those with the condition might have a higher probability of suffering from dementia in the future.
We’ll end with some heart-healthy maneuvers you can adopt to reduce your probability of suffering from atrial fibrillation or its related perils.
“Gradually, it was disclosed to me that the line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either — but right through every human heart — and through all human hearts. This line shifts. Inside us, it oscillates with the years. And even within hearts overwhelmed by evil, one small bridgehead of good is retained. And even in the best of all hearts, there remains … an uprooted small corner of evil.
Since then, I have come to understand the truth of all the world religions: They struggle with the evil inside a human being (inside every human being). It is impossible to expel evil from the world in its entirety, but it is possible to constrict it within each person.”
― Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn, The Gulag Archipelago 1918–1956
Atrial fibrillation basics
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a type of cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) that affects the heart’s upper chambers, known as the atria.
In AFib, the atria contract fast and irregularly, leading to an erratic heartbeat that can cause symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, and dizziness.
Atrial fibrillation is common and can occur intermittently or persistently. It is more common in older adults and individuals with underlying heart disease.
According to the American Heart Association, approximately 2.7 million Americans live with AFib, which is expected to increase as the population ages. The prevalence of AFib is known to increase with age, and it affects more than 10% of individuals over 80.
AFib is also more common in individuals with underlying heart disease or conditions such as hypertension, heart failure, and diabetes. Lifestyle factors such as obesity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption can also increase the risk of developing AFib. Overall, the prevalence of AFib will continue to rise due to aging populations and increasing rates of risk factors such as obesity and hypertension.
Atrial fibrillation-associated health dangers
It can increase the risk of blood clots and stroke. It may require treatment with medication, cardioversion (restoring normal heart rhythm with electrical shocks), or other procedures to manage symptoms and prevent complications.
Even though atrial fibrillation doubles the death risk from heart-related causes, increases stroke risk five-fold, and increases hospitalization rates, many do not fully appreciate the serious health consequences of the condition. According to the 2009 “Out of Sync” survey:
- Only 33 percent of atrial fibrillation patients think atrial fibrillation is a serious condition.
- Less than half of atrial fibrillation patients believe they have an increased risk for stroke, heart-related hospitalizations, or death.
Fortunately, effective management improves these odds.
Irregular heart rhythms and dementia
Historical research suggests that atrial fibrillation is a potential risk factor for cognitive decline. University of Washington (USA) researchers add more evidence, reporting this finding:
People with newly-diagnosed AFib have a modestly elevated risk of developing dementia. This risk is higher in adults under 65 and those without chronic kidney disease.
The team analyzed health data from nearly 200,000 Californians (USA) for the study. For those with atrial fibrillation, there were an average of 2.8 diagnoses of dementia per 100 people over one year. This number is compared with 2.0 diagnoses in people without Afib over the same period.
The dementia risk for those under 65 appeared 1.65-fold higher for adults 65 and older. Moreover, Individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) had a 1.14 times higher risk for dementia than those without atrial fibrillation.
Researchers recently published their discoveries in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
“The heart of man is very much like the sea, it has its storms, it has its tides, and in its depths it has its pearls too.”
― Vincent van Gogh, The Letters of Vincent van Gogh
My take — Irregular heart rhythms and dementia
I want to remind you of atrial fibrillation symptoms. While some don’t have any symptoms, The Mayo Clinic (USA) notes that Afib can be associated with the following:
- Palpitations: Sensations of a fluttering, fast, or pounding heartbeat
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness
- Reduced ability to exercise
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
There are several forms of atrial fibrillation.
- Occasional (paroxysmal atrial fibrillation). Afib symptoms come and go, typically lasting for minutes to hours. Sometimes the symptoms last for as long as a week, and episodes can happen repeatedly. On occasion, the symptoms may spontaneously resolve. Some people with occasional Afib need treatment.
- Persistent. The heart rhythm does not return to normal on its own. If you have Afib symptoms, medicines or cardioversion may be needed to restore (and maintain) a normal rhythm.
- Long-standing persistent. In brief, this atrial fibrillation type is continuous and lasts longer than one year.
- Permanent. The irregular heart rhythm can’t be restored in this type of atrial fibrillation. Medicines are needed to control the heart rate and prevent blood clots.
Lower your risk of atrial fibrillation complications
To drop your chances of developing atrial fibrillation, maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle. If you have Afib, please get proper treatment to lower the risks associated with atrial fibrillation. To drop your chances of developing atrial fibrillation, maintain a heart-healthy lifestyle.
- Get regular physical activity.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet, low in trans and saturated fats, salt, and cholesterol.
- Manage high blood pressure (hypertension)
- Avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol
- Don’t smoke
- Control cholesterol
- Maintain a healthy weight
Certainly, If you have any symptoms of atrial fibrillation, please see your doctor promptly. If you have chest pain, seek immediate professional medical help. Chest pain could signal a heart attack.
The information I provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. I am not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information in this blog.
Thank you for reading “Heart Rhythms and Dementia.” I hope you commit to a heart-healthy lifestyle.
