(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.
