Atrial fibrillation is an often silent disease. But how to detect it? On the occasion of the Week of Action on this heart rhythm disorder, we take stock of the methods of screening for this pathology with Doctor Serge Boveda, cardiologist at the Pasteur clinic in Toulouse.
- 20-30% of strokes are related to atrial fibrillation.
- 30% of atrial fibrillations are asymptomatic.
- An electrocardiogram should be performed to confirm the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation.
- “More sophisticated” tools, such as a “Holter ECG”, connected watches, a heart monitor or event recorders also make it possible to detect the disease.
More than 10% of people over 80 are affected by atrial (or auricular) fibrillation, according to Health Insurance. This condition is the most common heart rhythm disorder in adults. It speeds up the heart and makes it beat irregularly. In general, age, aging and a family predisposition favor the occurrence of this pathology. But other risk factors, such as obesity, heart problems and respiratory diseases, can also lead to the development of atrial fibrillation.
If this condition is not treated in time, it can cause heart failure or lead to strokes due to blood clots in the atria of the heart. Problem: in some cases, this disease can occur without symptoms and therefore go unnoticed. Doctor Serge Boveda, cardiologist at the Pasteur clinic in Toulouse, explains how to detect silent atrial fibrillation.
An electrocardiogram to clarify the diagnosis
When atrial fibrillation presents with symptoms, such as palpitations, shortness of breath or malaise, it is easier to diagnose. In this case, the doctor will question and examine the patient and then refer him to a specialist for the detection of an arrhythmia, namely an irregular heartbeat.
“Many atrial fibrillations are asymptomatic. According to studies, they are estimated at 30%, or one third of atrial fibrillations, although it is difficult to know how many there really are”, indicates the Toulouse cardiologist. To detect this heart rhythm disorder, the health authorities have recommended that general practitioners systematically take the pulse of patients over the age of 65.
The doctor may suspect an episode of atrial fibrillation if the patient’s pulse is irregular. In this case, he directs the patient to a specialist who performs an electrocardiogram (ECG). This examination makes it possible to obtain an electrocardiographic tracing and to specify the diagnosis.
More “sophisticated” methods
Doctor Serge Boveda reveals other means “more sophisticated” to detect atrial fibrillation. According to the specialist, a “Holter ECG”, namely a small device involving recordings over several hours, days or weeks, makes it possible to highlight episodes of atrial fibrillation.
Other possible tools to detect this disease: event recorders and connected watches. “They make it possible to give ECG tracings on a single lead and can help detect atrial fibrillation, which goes unnoticed”says the cardiologist.
A heart monitor, implanted under the skin, can also record a patient’s heart rate for several years. These equipments “help to detect unrecognized atrial fibrillations, which could occur episodically”, according to the Toulouse specialist.
Below is the interview with Dr Serge Boveda:
Find our program Questions to Experts on atrial fibrillation:
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