Chagas Disease

Overview

Chagas disease (also called American trypanosomiasis) is an illness you get from infection with a parasite. The parasite is spread by triatomine bugs (“kissing bugs”), mostly in Mexico and Central and South America.

The thing about Chagas is that most people don’t know they’re infected. Many people don’t have any symptoms in the initial (acute) phase. But without treatment, most people enter a long-term (chronic) infection phase. Years or even decades later, you can develop severe complications that affect your heart and digestive system.

How common is Chagas disease?

Experts estimate that about 6 to 7 million people worldwide have Chagas disease — and many don’t know they have it. About 280,000 people in the U.S. are infected.

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Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

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