Thread by @CardioSmart

(1/12) #AFibAwareness #Tweetorial: Today the #ACCEP will be sharing information about #AFib risk factors, risk reduction techniques & more! Follow along as we discuss how mental health, exercise & OSA factor into AFib symptoms & treatment options. ⬇

@DrJCheungEP @Dr_Mike_Fradley (2/12) #AFibAwareness #Tweetorial: Normally, the human ❤ pumps >100k heartbeats each day. If you have #AFib, the ❤ doesn’t always beat the way it should.

People w/ AF are 5x more likely to have a #stroke, & it can lead to HF. Treating AF early can help: bit.ly/3eShyZl

(3/12) #AFibAwareness #Tweetorial: Some people with #AFib don’t have any symptoms. Those who do may report:
💗 Heart palpitations
😴 Feeling unusually tired
🌬️ Unexplained shortness of breath
😵 Dizziness
💥 Chest pain
bit.ly/3AAS0eV

(4/12) #AFibAwareness #Tweetorial: Medical conditions such as obesity, #highbloodpressure, obstructive #sleepapnea & #diabetes have been recognized as contributors to #AFib.

Treating these conditions & implementing lifestyle modifications (exercise + weight loss) can ⬇ AFib.

(5/12) #AFibAwareness #Tweetorial: 😰Stress can have a significant effect on CV health & can ⬆ #AFib symptoms.

In a 2014 #JACC letter, patients who reported stress, anxiety, sadness & anger each ⬆ the likelihood of AFib, but happiness was protective. bit.ly/3o1Tewj

(6/12) #AFibAwareness #Tweetorial: Techniques to ⬇ stress & negative emotions may help to ⬇ #AFib episodes & symptoms.

The "Yoga My Heart" #JACC study was first to show the effects of mind-body practices on clinical endpoints in AFib. bit.ly/3zxTzZZ

(7/12) #AFibAwareness #Tweetorial: Other mind-body practices may also help ⬇ symptomatic #AFib burden.

The SMART Program educated participants on stress awareness tools, healthy lifestyle behaviors & CBT skills. Participants reported improved QoL. bit.ly/3zwpIRE

(8/12) #AFibAwareness #Tweetorial: Obesity is a well-known risk factor for #AFib.

In a 2015 #JACCCEP meta-analysis, for every 5 kg/m2 ⬆ in BMI, there was a 10-29% higher relative risk for new-onset or post-operative AFib. bit.ly/3CwmkYA

(9/12) #AFibAwareness #Tweetorial: Weight loss should be a goal for overweight patients w/ #AFib.

The #JACC LEGACY-AF trial looked at the benefit of weight loss in AFib management. Weight loss ≥10% resulted in >6-fold greater freedom from AFib. bit.ly/3nYaouU

(10/12) #AFibAwareness #Tweetorial: Exercise is beneficial for ❤️ health.

In a 2015 #JACC study, cardiorespiratory fitness predicted arrhythmia recurrence in obese individuals w/ symptomatic #AFib. Pts should 💬 to 👩‍⚕️ before starting an exercise program. bit.ly/2W1kpf5

(11/12) #AFibAwareness #Tweetorial: People with obstructive #sleepapnea are 4x more likely to have #AFib than those without OSA

Routine clinical screening for OSA prior to use of a rhythm control strategy should be considered: bit.ly/33kXNWN

(12/12) #AFibAwareness #Tweetorial: The optimal approach to taking care of an #AFib patient is a patient-centered approach, including focusing on lifestyle modifications + medical treatment.

An integrated, team-based approach may best address pt. needs: bit.ly/39w93lL