Snoring

Overview

A healthcare provider will perform a physical examination of your nose, mouth and throat. They’ll also ask you (and maybe even your partner or partners) several questions, including:

How often do you snore?
What does your snoring sound like?
Do you feel rested during the day?

Sleep study

If your provider thinks you might have a sleep disorder (like sleep apnea), they may recommend a sleep study (polysomnography). You might be able to do a sleep study at home, or you may need to spend the night in a sleep center.

A sleep study evaluates:

Brain wave activity.
Breathing patterns, including any periods when you stop breathing or gasp for air.
Heart rate and oxygen levels.
Movements during sleep, such as arm or leg movements or tossing and turning.
Sleep cycles and snoring.

Products & Services

A Book: Future Care

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Request an appointment

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?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart Rhythm Conditions support group on Freedmans Health Clinic Connect, a patient community.