Remember when you were young and the sight of a gorgeous girl or guy across a crowded room would make your heart flutter, skip a beat, or maybe speed up a bit.
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Well if you're older and your heart starts to flutter or do any of the above - see a doctor.
More than half a million Australians, including one in 20 over 55s, are affected by atrial fibrillation, a condition that is responsible for one in four strokes and a increased risk of heart failure and dementia. Prevalence is expected to double in the next decade.
The serious heart condition results in an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that can lead to blood clots in the heart. It is associated with a three-fold increase in the risk of heart failure and a five to seven-fold increase in the risk of life-threatening stroke.
Up to one in three people living with the condition remain undiagnosed.
Even doctors can get it
GP Anke Doley was travelling with her family overseas when she suddenly developed a very fast and irregular heartbeat, also known as an arrhythmia. The episode lasted for about one and a half hours and occurred while she was in a train travelling to the airport to catch a flight back to Australia.
Though she suspected AF, medical tests in Australia came back as normal. Two years later, while on her way on to the local hospital to provide neonatal resuscitation support for an emergency caesarean section, Anke experienced another episode and an ECG confirmed she had AF.
Over the years Anke's condition progressively worsened despite different medications.
"In 2019, I couldn't even walk short distances or do any form of light exercise without triggering episodes of fast AF which made me feel short of breath and weak. Outdoor activities including camping with my husband had also become difficult as prolonged episodes would occur in remote areas," Anke said.
"That year I had my ablation (a surgical procedure to correct AF by scarring the tissue in the heart that causes the arrhythmia) and since then, I haven't had any prolonged episodes again."
Anke said she might have a "little flutter once in a blue moon" but it always lasts less than a minute. "I've been very grateful and lucky that I don't have any significant symptoms and don't need to take medications anymore."
COVID link
Leading heart health charity hearts4heart is using Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Week (September 19 - September 25), to urge Australians to get their heart checked, Around half a million Australians currently live with atrial fibrillation.
Research has also shown people who have had even mild cases of COVID-19 are at increased risk of developing AF. In 2021, there was a four per cent increase in the prevalence of AF among hospitalised COVID-19 patients in Australia and according to a new report published in Nature, patients who had COVID-19 (even patients who were not hospitalised or had only a mild case) are 1.19 times more likely to develop AF compared to patients who hadn't had COVID-19.
Jock Barker's story
In 2008, 64-year-old mayor of Claremont Jock Barker was climbing down a scaffold while painting his daughter's house when he felt a slight fluttering in his chest.
Considering that he had an active lifestyle, no cholesterol problems, and had never smoked, he wasn't worried about his heart. But when Prof Rukshen Weerasooriya, a cardiologist that lived next door, heard about this fluttering, he was concerned and after checking Mr Barker's pulse, Prof Weerasooriya diagnosed Mr Barker with atrial fibrillation.
Mr Barker urges Australians to recognise the symptoms of AF and to speak to their doctor if they are feeling even the slightest bit unwell.
"The symptoms of atrial fibrillation can be almost nothing. The slight fluttering in my chest wasn't something I thought I should go to the doctor about. But I realise now that even the smallest symptoms shouldn't be ignored."
After a week of trying medication to restore his heartbeat, Mr Barker went to Hollywood Hospital to have a cardiac and pulmonary vein ablation, performed by Professor Weerasooriya. The procedure was successful, and Jock hasn't had an episode of AF since.
He continues to live an active lifestyle - working, gardening, and walking over seven kilometers every day.
Mr Barker wants Australians to know that early intervention is key to heart health and stroke prevention.
"The longer you wait, the more damage you do to your heart, which is why regular heart checkups are crucial to atrial fibrillation diagnosis and management," he said.
Finger on the pulse
"Australians need to be heart smart now more than ever and have their finger on the pulse," said cardiologist and hearts4heart medical director Professor John Amerena.
He wants people to learn to recognise AF symptoms and speak to their GP about a heart check.
Hearts4heart founder and chief executive, Tanya Hall said not everyone with AF experiences symptoms and the most common ones are often dismissed, either as other health issues or just signs of getting older.
"If you've experienced a rapid heartbeat or palpitations, dizziness, unexplained tiredness, shortness of breath, fainting, swelling of the ankles or chest pain, speak with your GP about getting your heart checked," she said.
Hearts4Heart provides peer support services and individual risk assessments (in partnership with hospitals and pharmacies across Australia), in addition to raising awareness through national campaigns and other events. Ms Hall and her team also advocate for better access to therapies and are regularly involved in government health policy reviews.
If you've experienced a rapid heartbeat or palpitations, dizziness, unexplained tiredness, shortness of breath, fainting, swelling of the ankles or chest pain, speak with your GP about getting your heart checked.
- Hearts4heart chief executive Tanya Hall
Are you at risk?
AF affects men and women and can occur at any age.
Risk factors include:
- Physical inactivity
- Being overweight
- Disrupted sleep
- Having diabetes
- Smoking
- High blood cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Aged over 65 years