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Health Tip: Risk Factors For AFib


(HealthDay News) -- Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is an irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications, the American Heart Association says.

The Association reports at least 2.7 million Americans are living with AFib. A normally-functioning heart contracts and relaxes to a regular beat. But if a person has atrial fibrillation, the upper chambers of the heart beat irregularly.

The AHA mentions these risk factors for AFib:

  • Advanced age.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Heart disease.
  • Drinking alcohol.
  • Family history.
  • Sleep apnea.
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