Heart Rhythm Awareness Week Highlights Rising Heart Risks

Heart problems are increasingly common worldwide, driven by factors such as sedentary lifestyles, poor diets, stress, irregular sleep, and excessive exercise without proper checks. Symptoms like constant fatigue, breathlessness, and leg swelling are often overlooked, while silent heart attacks are now affecting younger and fitter individuals, leading to delayed diagnoses and higher risks of heart damage. Atrial fibrillation remains a prevalent heart rhythm disorder that significantly raises stroke risk, with treatment options including medications, cardioversion, and minimally invasive procedures. The thumb-palm stretch test may help identify connective tissue disorders linked to higher risk of aortic aneurysm, a potentially fatal condition. Heart Rhythm Awareness Week and similar campaigns aim to educate the public about these risks and highlight the importance of early detection. Recognizing subtle warning signs and undergoing regular screening are essential for preventing long-term heart damage and improving health outcomes.