Can young people get atrial fibrillation?

I often experience heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and a feeling like I'm about to faint. Could these be symptoms of atrial fibrillation? Does this condition occur in young people? (Huy, 35 years old, Ho Chi Minh City)

Reply

Atrial fibrillation is a common heart rhythm disorder characterized by an irregular, chaotic heartbeat even at rest. Symptoms of atrial fibrillation can occur in episodes or be continuous. If left uncontrolled, it can lead to complications such as blood clots, heart failure, stroke, and myocardial infarction.

Atrial fibrillation is common in patients over 60 years old. The cause is an abnormality in the heart, a consequence of several other conditions such as hypertension, cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, hyperthyroidism, sleep apnea, etc. Age is a risk factor, with older adults being more susceptible to atrial fibrillation.

Young people receive cardiovascular health check-ups at Tam Anh Hospital. Photo: Anh Minh — Young people receive cardiovascular health check-ups at Tam Anh Hospital. Photo: *Anh Minh*

However, what is concerning is that atrial fibrillation is becoming increasingly common in younger people. In young people without structural heart disease, a common risk factor for atrial fibrillation is thyroid disease such as hyperthyroidism. Other contributing factors include high blood pressure, unhealthy lifestyles such as alcohol or caffeine abuse, obesity, smoking, and excessive stress.

The initial symptoms of atrial fibrillation are not obvious. Therefore, patients, especially young people, often underestimate the condition and do not have regular health checkups, leading to the disease progressing and potentially causing dangerous complications that threaten their lives.

Young people should proactively reduce their risk of atrial fibrillation by avoiding being overweight or obese; engaging in regular physical activity; maintaining a heart-healthy diet; controlling blood sugar levels; and managing blood pressure and cholesterol levels. In addition, everyone should limit alcohol and stimulants; avoid smoking; reduce stress; and get enough sleep each day.

If you have risk factors for atrial fibrillation, you should have regular health checkups for early detection and timely treatment. Depending on the severity of atrial fibrillation, the patient's overall health, age, and underlying medical conditions, the doctor will prescribe a treatment plan including medication or surgical intervention. In addition, you should adjust your lifestyle to be healthier and more effective in achieving better treatment outcomes.

Dr. Tran Vu Minh Thu
Head of Department of Cardiology 2, Cardiology Center, Tam Anh Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City

At 2 PM on October 28th, Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City will organize a free consultation program on atrial fibrillation and heart rhythm disorders at the Tam Anh Research Institute (2B Pho Quang Street, Ward 2, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City).

Associate Professor, Doctor Pham Nguyen Vinh and Doctor Tran Vu Minh Thu will directly advise and answer questions during the program. Participants will have the chance to win a lucky draw for a comprehensive atrial fibrillation screening and cardiovascular check-up package worth nearly 4 million VND, along with many other gifts. Readers can register to participate here.

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