Has your medical provider told you that you have atrial fibrillation, commonly known as an irregular heartbeat? Atrial fibrillation occurs when your heart chambers are beating out of sync. The inflammation from gout has been linked to atrial fibrillation. Obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure, all conditions that can lead to gout, can also affect your heart.
A 2016 study from Scientific Reports revealed, “Our findings showed that gout is significantly associated with an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation.”
Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation and Gout Flare-Ups
You experience joint pain, swelling, and tenderness in your foot. It’s a gout flare-up. This painful inflammation caused by high uric acid levels can cause atrial fibrillation, especially if the inflammation is not controlled.
Common symptoms for atrial fibrillation include:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Fluttering in your chest
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Feelings of anxiety
Call 911 if you have chest pain.
What Tests Do You Need?
Your doctor can diagnose atrial fibrillation with several tests including an EKG or a Holter Monitor that you would wear for one or two days. The Holter Monitor will measure your heart rhythm during that time. Working together, your primary doctor, a rheumatologist, and possibly a cardiologist will determine if your atrial fibrillation is caused by gout.
Healthy Actions for Your Heart
If you have gout, you must maintain a uric acid level at a normal level (3.4-7.0 mg/dL for men).
Steps you can take to avoid gout flare-ups and atrial fibrillation are:
- Monitor your blood pressure.
- Routinely check your cholesterol levels.
- Take your prescribed medications. Medication for gout has been shown to lower that chance of atrial fibrillation by as much as 35%.
- Exercise and eat healthy.
Your best bet to a healthy heart is to decrease gout inflammation.
