Ask A Healer Healthy Heart Series

What is Atrial Fibrillation?

Note from Neva: Part of what I'm sharing on this page is news of an out-patient option for those who want to have medical tests to evaluation the health of their cardiovascular system.

I found out about these mobile testing units, from a company called LifeLine Screening, at a propitious time in my own life.

I knew something was terribly wrong because I couldn't walk for more than a few minutes without pressure in my chest and shortness of breath.

If I went much longer than that, I'd begin to have pain....sometimes in the chest area, sometimes down the left arm, sometimes a smarting in the chin (a classic symptom of heart attack in women).

I discovered thru athat I had high cholesterol and heart blockages and decided I would not go straight into the hospital as I was advised to do by the doctor to whom I reported my symptoms. That decision carries self-responsibility and it's not for everyone.

The cardiovascular health tests Life Line Screening provided were of great benefit to me at that time. If you'd like to know more about when a Life Line Screening might be coming to your area, please visit the website: for more information on cardiovascular testing.

Afib Health Information
Portions of this article, © LifeLineScreening, All Rights Reserved
Cleaning out Clogged Arteries - Thermal Imaging Proof


This cardiovascular health care article contains source material from LifeLine Screening, and addresses the condition known as atrial fibrillation. They now have a test that can determine if you have afib, which is terrific. If you have concerns, please read this important health information.

Is Your Heartbeat Normal? Atrial fibrillation, at it's most simple definition, is a heart beating out of sync.

Heart palpitations can also mean the heart is beating out of sync but can also mean the heart is beating faster than it should, or slower than it should.

The heart beats in sync through electrical signals. In afib, those electrical signals are interrupted, resulting in a heartbeat that does not move the blood through the heart in an efficient manner. A disorganized heartbeat, for a prolonged period of time, is harmful so, if left unmanaged, atrial fibrillation can be a dangerous health condition.

If the blood is not fully pumped from the heart with each beat, the blood that remains can pool up in the atria and clot. These blood clots can then escape from the atria and lodge in an artery, causing a stroke. People who have atrial fibrillation are at a five times greater risk of stroke. What Causes Afib? What causes this interruption of electrical signals that results in atrial fibrillation? There are quite a few factors. For example, you are more likely to have afib if you have also had heart disease, atherosclerosis or angina (chest pain caused when the heart doesn't get enough blood).

Men are slightly more likely than women to have atrial fibrillation.

Additional risk factors for afib include high blood pressure, thyroid disease, diabetes, lung disorders, having had heart surgery, sleep apnea, and excessive use of alcohol, cigarettes or stimulant drugs. Also, as you grow older, your risk increases. Among people younger than 60, the incidence of atrial fibrillation is 1 case out of 200 people. Among people over age 80, the incidence is 9 cases out of 100 people.

Atrial fibrillation may come and go, or it may develop into an ongoing condition. You might not notice any symptoms of atrial fibrillation at all, or you might sense an out-of-control heartbeat, pain or pressure in the chest, weakness, sweating, and trouble catching your breath.

To diagnose atrial fibrillation, your doctor typically will listen to your heart with a stethoscope to detect a rapid heartbeat or an irregular rhythm. Use of a 24-hour portable heart monitor might be necessary, since atrial fibrillation is often sporadic. You also might be tested for forms of heart disease that can contribute to atrial fibrillation.

Treating Atrial Fibrilation - Treatments for Atrial fibrillation include:

Electrical Stimulation to restore normal heartbeat rhythms
Medication
Pacemaker
Surgery
Blood thinners (to reduce risk of stroke)
Radio Waves

Testing for Atrial Fibrillation: There is now an easy, non-invasive way to test for afib, without going to a doctor. The non-invasive partial ECG screening conducted by LifeLine Screening is used to detect atrial fibrillation (Afib), the common heart arrhythmia we've been discussing. Atrial fibrillation is a major risk factor in stroke so this it is vital to be tested in some way if you suspect you may have afib.

Learn more about atrial fibrillation heart rhythm screening.

Sources: American Heart Association, National Institutes of Health, Lifeline Screening and National Library of Medicine

Note from Neva: In the interest of full disclosure, I want to state that I was tested for cholesterol in a doctor's office once, and in a free clinic once. Both times, years apart, my levels were around 250. However, the only testing I had done to confirm the blockages, was muscle testing.

Also, you should know that I do not go to doctors (personal decision; personal consequences) unless I have no other alternative. In this case, I had one.

I got my cholesterol tested at a mobile clinic and later, found out about lifeline as a test for how well I was doing with my health challenge. I was tested by a gifted kinesthesiologist who then suggested a regimen that brought my bad cholesterol down from 249 to 200.

It also cleared the blockages, as evidenced by an absense of pain and short breath and renewed ability to walk, climb stairs, etc.

Still, I wanted to be sure the blockages were gone so I was thrilled to discover LifeLine Screening. They came to an area near us so both myself and my mom ordered the cardiovascular tests they provide.

I showed no PAD, abdominal anyeurysms or neck artery blockages. All three tests cost only about $110 as I recall.

Then, I took a home cholesterol test and my level was 200.

I love that so many important medical tests can now be done without having to go to a specialist and pay the high costs of getting the same tests done in a hospital.
Cardiovascular Health Disclaimer: If you have, or suspect you have, atrial fibrillation, please note that these resources are only being provided as educational information and you are not being advised to replace any personally required medical care.

Regarding cardiovascular health in general, plaque build up in the arteries is a very serious medical condition and can be life-threatening. Cleaning out clogged arteries can be accomplished through medical procedures where the plaque is physically removed in surgery. In some instances, plaque may be reduce through lifestyle changes including diet, exercise, stress reduction and natural supplementation. The path each person takes to wellness will be different and this information is only provided as an educational tool for exploring the possibilities and not as replacement for any needed medical attention.