Why does A-Fib beget A-Fib?
There is a common saying that “A-Fib begets A-Fib.” The reason is that episodes of A-Fib may lead to scarring of the heart. This heart scarring then leads to even more episodes of A-Fib.
What medication did John try to control his A-Fib?
John had also tried an antiarrhythmic medication to control his A-Fib. Initially he tried flecainide. When flecainide was no longer effective he tried sotalol. Both of these medicines not only failed to control his symptoms but also caused him to feel very tired.
What to do if electrophysiologist recommends catheter ablation?
If your electrophysiologist has recommended a catheter ablation procedure for A-Fib, find out how experienced they are, how experienced the hospital is , and ask them to show you their complication rate data. If they cannot show you these numbers you may want to consider looking elsewhere for a procedure which could have significant complications.
What is a catheter ablation?
A catheter ablation procedure is a minimally invasive procedure where a cardiologist inserts thin catheters through your veins and advances them to the heart. Once these catheters are in your heart, a 3D map is often created to see where these abnormal heart rhythms are originating from.
What is the best ablation technique for atrial fibrillation?
There are two general ablation approaches for atrial fibrillation, radiofrequency (heat energy) or cryo (cold energy). Either approach can effectively eliminate the areas of the heart which are misfiring. As there are no data showing which approach is best, the best approach for you is the technique your electrophysiologist is most comfortable with.
How many chances of never leaving the hospital?
When it comes to catheter ablation, studies show that if your procedure is done by an inexperienced physician or hospital, you have a 1 in 200 chance of never leaving the hospital alive.
Does catheter ablation prolong life?
While no one questions the role of a catheter ablation to control symptoms and increase your chances of holding normal rhythm, the question many have sought to know is will it prolong life, prevent strokes, and prevent dementia.
What is the best treatment for AFIB?
The most common treatment for AFib in an emergency room setting is rate controlling medications. In an emergency room setting a patient will likely receive intravenous medications for rapid control of the heart rate. The most common intravenous medications used are metoprolol, diltiazem, digoxin, or amiodarone.
What is the barrier to seeking medical attention for an AFIB attack?
A common barrier to people seeking medical attention for an AFib attack is a lack of education about what the medical providers in the emergency room will do to manage their symptoms.
What are the most important features about when to seek urgent medical attention in the emergency room?
Symptoms are the most important feature about when to seek urgent medical attention in the emergency room. This is more important then the tachycardia, or the level of high heart rate.
How high is the heart rate for AFIB?
It is important to note that some patients with AFib will have an elevated heart rate (usually over 120 bpm at rest ) and will experience no symptoms at all. This is why monitoring your symptoms and assessing your personal baseline is essential for identifying the onset of a possibly dangerous AFib attack. If you begin to experience any of these symptoms in a way that makes you feel stressed, uncomfortable, or like you are out of control, that is when seeking medical attention at your nearest emergency room is essential.
What is the condition that causes a sudden abnormally fast heart rate?
Supraventricular Tachycardia 一 Commonly known as SVT, this condition can cause a sudden abnormally fast heart rate involving the upper chambers of the heart. While this condition can sometimes be managed at-home, prolonged episodes of SVT require medical intervention.
Why is it important to have medical attention for a person with a syphilis?
For people newly diagnosed with the condition, it is much more likely that they will require medical attention to improve symptoms, and to help ease their concerns and provide education. People living with this condition for longer periods of time are more likely to have plans and strategies to help reduce their attacks, and will be able to better identify more severe episodes.
Can you feel short of breath with atrial fibrillation?
Then there are people, that when they get episodes of atrial fibrillation, quickly feel very short of breath, or they feel dizzy or light-headed, or may have symptoms of chest pain or have other severe symptoms when they develop their episodes of atrial fibrillation. If you're having episodes of atrial fibrillation and you're having severe symptoms ...
What causes a fib in the left atrium?
As the heart has to pump against a higher load it causes stretching and thickening of the heart, ultimately leading to scarring and enlargement of the left atrium. As a result of heart scarring and enlargement, the electrical pathways are disrupted thereby causing A-Fib.
Do Asians lose their status against A-Fib?
Gregory M. Marcus from the University of California at San Francisco, when Asians immigrate to the U.S., they lose their protected status against A-Fib and soon develop rates of A-Fib similar to other Americans.
Does a CPAP machine reduce A-Fib?
As of the time I am writing this article, there are no studies yet showing that getting treated for sleep apnea with a CPAP machine will reduce or reverse A-Fib. However, in patients who have had an A-Fib ablation, one study has shown that CPAP therapy can double their chances of a successful ablation.
Does caffeine cause A-Fib?
When it comes to caffeine and A-Fib, the data are not so clear. Some studies suggest there is an increased risk of A-Fib with coffee while others do not. At the end of the day, you need to find out for yourself whether or not caffeine is triggering your A-Fib.
Can a fib gene be silenced?
Thus, even if you did inherit the “A-Fib gene,” this gene can be silenced through a molecular “tag” that comes from a healthy lifestyle which can attach to the outside of the gene.
Can a person with sleep apnea stop breathing?
In sleep apnea, the extra fat in the neck and in the back of the tongue can obstruct your airway while sleeping. Usually, the spouse or sleeping partner can make the diagnos is as these patients tend to snor e and occasionally stop breathing while sleeping.
Does Red Bull cause A-Fib?
Any drug which stimulates the body also stimulates the heart and may increase the risk of A-Fib. As a cardiologist treating patients with A-Fib, I am seeing more and more cases of A-Fib from energy drinks, like Red Bull, especially in young men.
How to reduce the risk of AFIB?
These changes can help reduce your risk of complications from AFib. You should stop or refrain from smoking and limit your intake of alcohol and caffeine. Also, you should avoid cough and cold medications that contain stimulants. If you’re not sure which to avoid, ask your pharmacist.
What are the goals of AFIB treatment?
Your treatment plan will likely address three goals: restore your normal heart rate. restore your normal heart rhythm. Medications can help achieve all three of these goals.
How does AFIB work?
Two types of medication can help with this. They work by slowing down electrical signals in your heart. These medications are: Sodium channel blockers such as flecainide (Tambocor) and quinidine.
How to slow down heart rate?
Slowing down your heart rate is another important step in treatment. Your doctor may prescribe medications for this purpose. Three types of medications can be used to restore your normal heart rate: 1 Beta-blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), and propranolol (Inderal) 2 Calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem) and verapamil (Verelan) 3 Digoxin (Lanoxin)
What is the best medicine for slowing down heart rate?
Three types of medications can be used to restore your normal heart rate: Beta-blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), and propranolol (Inderal) Calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem) ...
Why are NOACs recommended over warfarin?
These NOACs are now recommended over the traditionally prescribed warfarin (Coumadin) because they have no known food interactions and don’t require frequent monitoring. People who take warfarin require frequent blood testing and need to monitor their intake of foods rich in vitamin K.
How to restore sinus rhythm?
Another option for restoring sinus rhythm when medications fail is called catheter ablation. A narrow catheter is threaded through a blood vessel into your heart. The catheter uses radiofrequency energy to destroy a small number of tissue cells in your heart that send out signals that cause your abnormal heart rhythm.
How to live longer with AFIB?
For a personalized prognosis, ask your doctor what you can expect and what treatments and lifestyle changes can help. Exercise, weight loss, healthy eating, and treatments like blood thinners and blood pressure medicines might help you live longer -- and better -- with AFib.
What affects AFIB prognosis?
Many things affect your AFib prognosis, including your age, health, and what medicines you take.
What are the risks of AFIB?
AFib can become more persistent over time. It can lead to risks such as: 1 An abnormal heart rhythm. On its own, this may not be life-threatening. But it can cause serious complications if untreated. 2 Blood clots. When your heart doesn't beat strongly enough, your blood slows down and pools. Clumps called clots form in the pooled blood. A blood clot can block the flow of blood to your organs. A blockage to your brain can cause a stroke. The chance of having a stroke is about four times higher in people with AFib than in those without this condition. 3 Heart failure. Over time, your heart can get so weak that it can't pump out enough blood to meet your body's needs. This is called heart failure.
What happens if you have an AFIB?
Your doctor will regularly check your heart to see how healthy it is and what types of treatment you need. Untreated AFib can raise your risk for problems like a heart attack, stroke, and heart failure, which could shorten your life expectancy.
How does AFIB affect your life?
How AFib Affects Your Prognosis. AFib does raise the risk of dying early. Heart failure and stroke are two of the main causes of death in people with AFib. But with improved treatments, overall deaths from AFib have dropped. There aren’t life expectancy statistics for people with AFib.
What is paroxysmal AFIB?
Paroxysmal AFib is episodes of symptoms that come and go and often get better without treatment.
What happens when your heart doesn't beat?
Blood clots. When your heart doesn't beat strongly enough, your blood slows down and pools. Clumps called clots form in the pooled blood. A blood clot can block the flow of blood to your organs. A blockage to your brain can cause a stroke. The chance of having a stroke is about four times higher in people with AFib than in those without this condition.
Diagnosis
Clinical Trials
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- Following a heart-healthy lifestyle can help prevent or treat conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease. Lifestyle changes often include: 1. Eating heart-healthy foods.Eat a healthy diet that's low in salt and solid fats and rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. 2. Exercising regularly.Exercise daily and increase physical activity. 3. Quitting smoking.If you smo…
Preparing For Your Appointment
- If you have an irregular or pounding heartbeat, make an appointment with your family doctor. If atrial fibrillation is found early, treatment may be easier and more effective. You may be referred to a doctor trained in heart conditions (cardiologist). Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot to discuss, it's a good idea to be prepared for your appointment. Here'…