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How to reduce health risks by understanding AFib
(Family Features) Oftentimes, seeking to improve your health starts at your core – your heart. One common condition to be aware of is atrial fibrillation (AFib), which is a quivering or irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.
Currently impacting up to 6.1 million Americans, AFib is projected to double by 2030, according to the American Heart Association. One in three individuals is at risk for developing AFib over the course of his or her lifetime, and the likelihood of developing the condition increases by almost 40 percent after the age of 55.
The average person living with AFib has a five-fold increase of experiencing a stroke than someone with a regular heartbeat. However, proper diagnosis and treatment can help reduce the chances of associated heart health complications, including stroke.
The first step toward managing AFib and preventing serious health complications is gaining knowledge about the condition. The experts at the American Heart Association are working to elevate awareness with these facts:
Causes
While in some cases the cause is unknown, AFib can be the result of damage to the heart’s electrical system from other conditions such as longstanding, uncontrolled high blood pressure, obesity, smoking and heart disease. For example, smokers are 20 percent more likely to develop AFib than nonsmokers.
Symptoms and signs
A person living with AFib may have symptoms like a fluttering heartbeat, but he or she may not have symptoms at all. Nearly 80 percent of people who report having AFib note they did not experience symptoms, which can lead to the condition being overlooked or confused with other conditions, such as anxiety.
“Atrial fibrillation can be challenging to diagnose,” said Dr. Georgeanne Freeman, a board-certified family medicine doctor and American Heart Association volunteer expert. “If you are feeling out of the ordinary, whether it’s a racing pulse or irregular heartbeat associated with shortness of breath and fatigue, it’s time to speak with your doctor to learn your risk for AFib and lower your chance for stroke.”
Other common symptoms include dizziness, weakness, faintness or confusion; fatigue when exercising; sweating and chest pain or pressure.
At-risk populations
Anyone, at any age, can develop AFib. People over age 50, those with high blood pressure or other forms of heart disease and those with a family history of the condition are at highest risk and should discuss their medical history with their doctors.
People of African, Asian or Hispanic ancestry are typically less likely to suffer from AFib. However, research suggests that those with African or Hispanic ancestry living with AFib have a higher risk of death when the condition is combined with another factor such as heart failure or high blood pressure.
Risk factors
While some people living with AFib are unaware of the condition due to not experiencing symptoms, it causes the heart to beat erratically, stops blood from moving through the heart efficiently and may result in pooling or clotting. The clot may block blood flow to the brain, causing a stroke. Risk factors such as age, high blood pressure, heart failure, diabetes or medical history contribute to individuals’ five-fold risk of stroke.
Treatment options
Although most primary care providers claim to have general knowledge of AFib, there are still challenges in their abilities to diagnose it. The treatment goals start with a proper diagnosis through an in-depth examination performed by a medical professional, health care provider or cardiologist. The exam usually includes questions about the individual’s medical history and often a test such as an EKG or ECG to determine heart rate, rhythm and other information. If you have AFib, understand your options for medications and discuss with your doctor. Anyone on anticoagulants should carry information and be able to alert medical professionals in an emergency that he or she is on blood thinners.
To learn more and to access AFib tools and resources, visit heart.org/AFib.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
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American Heart Association
(Tiffany Miller) The summer of childhood had a different quality to it. The days felt unscheduled, the weeks unhurried, and the season itself stretched on in a way the calendar did not quite explain. A new survey from ThriftBooks, the largest independent online bookseller of new and used books, found that many readers believe the endless summer feeling is gone, and that the one thing most associated with getting it back is also the thing they feel least entitled to do.
It also found that nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults who read say summer moves faster now than it did when they were growing up. And 76% say reading is the one thing that slows it down.
Summer used to feel different
Part of what shifted it was the screen. About 60% of readers say screens take away from the feeling of summer. The associations most tied to childhood summers — being outdoors, family time and reading — have quietly faded into the background. What replaced them is a season that feels more scheduled, more managed and harder to slow down.
Reading slows it down. Guilt gets in the way.
Reading holds a complicated place in that picture. Fifty-three percent of readers fell in love with reading during childhood, and the emotional connection between books and summer runs deep. Fifty-six percent say reading makes summer feel like it lasts longer, and most agree it helps them slow down in a way other forms of downtime simply do not.
But wanting to read and feeling permitted to read are different things. Seventy-four percent of readers say they sometimes or often feel that reading for pleasure is only allowed after everything else is done. That hesitation often looks familiar: a book left on the nightstand while the dishes get done, a chapter saved for when the to-do list clears. The single biggest obstacle is not a shortage of time but the sense that reading is not productive enough to justify: 27% say the main barrier is feeling like they should be doing something more useful instead.
A generational divide
That tension runs deepest among younger readers. Gen Z enters summer more optimistic about reading than older generations, but also more burdened by it. Seventy-seven percent of Gen Z say reading makes summer feel longer, compared with 44% of Baby Boomers. Yet it is younger readers who are most likely to feel they need to earn the time first.
Why it matters now
The findings suggest summer often feels shorter because schedules and distractions leave less room to slow down. For many readers, books may be one of the simplest ways to bring back the endless summer feeling.
Methodology
ThriftBooks commissioned Atomik Research to conduct an online survey of 2,000 adults throughout the United States who read three or more books per year. The margin of error is plus or minus 2 percentage points with a confidence level of 95%.
Fieldwork took place between April 13 and April 17, 2026. Atomik Research, part of 4media group, is a creative market research agency.
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(Feature Impact) As the days lengthen and warm air has you ready to get your patio furniture out of storage, that means it’s time to give your yard a fresh start. With a little planning now, you’ll be rewarded with a fuller, greener and easier-to-maintain outdoor space once spring is in full bloom.
1. Start With a Clean Slate
Winter leaves behind plenty of debris, including fallen branches and matted leaves. Before you start planting, take a walk around your yard and tidy up:
- Rake moisture-trapping twigs and leaves that can cause fungus
- Remove dead plants or spent annuals from flower beds
- Sweep or power wash patios and walkways
2. Tune Up Tools
Digging into yard work only to find rusty shears or a squeaky mower can prolong the task. Instead, ensure your tools are in good working order:
- Sharpen blades on lawn mowers, shears and pruners
- Install fresh string on trimmers and weed eaters
- Replace old fuel or clean air filters on gas-powered tools
3. Assess Your Lawn
Early spring is ideal for noticing how winter treated your grass. Dethatching and aeration can go a long way toward helping grass absorb nutrients. Set the stage for lush growth once warmer weather arrives by looking for:
- Bare patches that need reseeding
- Weeds making an early debut
- Compacted soil where water pools instead of soaking in
4. Give Plants the Right Start
Now’s the time to prep beds for new life. Before you plant:
- Loosen soil and mix in compost for nutrients
- Add mulch around perennials
- Plan your planting based on sun and shade patterns
5. Hydrate Wisely
Strong roots start with proper hydration. Even before sprigs pop up, early spring can be dry as the sun gets higher. Remember to:
- Water flowerbeds if rainfall has been scarce
- Check irrigation systems for damage
- Mulch lightly after soil warms to lock in moisture
Getting your yard ready early in spring isn’t about perfection; it’s about setting yourself up for outdoor enjoyment all season long. Find more tips to get your yard in shape at eLivingtoday.com.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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(Feature Impact) After months of winter, spring cleaning isn’t just about dusting and vacuuming – it’s about inviting sunlight and fresh air into your space through the open windows and giving yourself a fresh start for the longer days ahead.
It’s also a perfect opportunity to clear out the old and make room for new experiences, memories and energy. Whether you’re tackling deep cleaning for the first time or you have seasonal rituals for tidying up your home, this room-by-room guide can help you plan and conquer seasonal chores.
Whole Home:
- Declutter spaces: Donate, recycle or discard what you don’t need
- Wash windows inside and out
- Dust baseboards, walls, vents and ceiling fans
- Wipe down doors, knobs and light switches
- Vacuum and clean under and behind furniture
- Clean curtains and blinds
- Store seasonal items like winter clothing and decor
- Replace air filters
- Shampoo carpet
Kitchen:
- Empty and wipe down refrigerator and freezer
- Clean oven, stovetop and microwave
- Scrub countertops and backsplashes
- Clean out the garbage disposal
- Sweep and mop floors
- Organize the pantry and throw away any expired items
Bathrooms:
- Scrub grout and tile
- Clean mirrors and glass surfaces
- Deep clean toilets
- Wipe down cabinets and bathroom fixtures
- Wash rugs, floor mats and the shower curtain and liner
- Empty trash and clean the bin
Bedrooms and Other Living Areas:
- Wash bedding, pillows and linens
- Organize closets and drawers
- Vacuum chair, couches and mattresses as well as under cushions
- Dust shelves and decor
- Clean light fixtures and lampshades
Outdoor Areas:
- Power wash patios, sidewalks and driveways
- Wipe down outdoor furniture and replace textiles like pillows, cushions and umbrellas
- Clear debris from garden beds
- Prune shrubs, plants and trees
- Organize garages and sheds
- Reconnect hoses and sprinklers
- Prep lawn equipment such as mowers, weed eaters and blowers
For more spring cleaning tips and tricks, visit eLivingtoday.com.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
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