An arrhythmia is an abnormality of the heart's rhythm. It may beat too slowly, too quickly, or irregularly. These abnormalities range from a minor inconvenience or discomfort to a potentially fatal problem.
Medication
- Take care of yourself. Eat a heart-healthy diet and stay active to keep yourself healthy.
- Set aside time for yourself. ...
- Notice signs of depression or stress. ...
- Ask for and accept help. ...
- Learn about atrial fibrillation. ...
- Consider technology. ...
- Join a support group. ...
Procedures
There is new research involving a condition called Atrial Fibrillation (a-fib), and researchers are looking into the best ways to treat it. A-fib is the most common type of heart arrhythmia and it causes nearly half a million hospitalizations each year.
Nutrition
- relieve AF symptoms
- restore normal heart rhythm by resetting the heart rhythm or controlling the heart rate
- reduce your risk of stroke
- improve your quality of life
- reduce your risk of being hospitalized
- reduce your risk of heart failure
How to care the best with atrial fibrillation?
Traditionally, medication is the first treatment used to manage intermittent a-fib. If medication doesn’t work, doctors will try a procedure called an ablation. Wazni led a clinical trial, which found ablation is safe and more effective than the initial treatment. Researchers looked at more than 200 patients at 24 hospitals.
What is atrial fibrillation and how is it treated?
What are the goals of atrial fibrillation treatment?
What is the best medication for atrial fibrillation?
What is the most common treatment for atrial fibrillation?
Heart rate medicines: The most common way to treat atrial fibrillation is with drugs that control your heartbeat....Potassium channel blockers, which slow the electrical signals that cause AFib:Amiodarone (Cordarone, Nexterone Pacerone),Dofetilide (Tikosyn)Sotalol (Betapace, Sorine, Sotylize)
What is the main cause of atrial fibrillation?
The basic cause of AFib is disorganized signals that make your heart's two upper chambers (the atria) squeeze very fast and out of sync. They contract so quickly that the heart walls quiver, or fibrillate. Damage to your heart's electrical system can cause AFib.
What is the first treatment for atrial fibrillation?
Initial treatment is directed at controlling the ventricular rate, most often with a calcium channel blocker, a beta blocker, or digoxin. Medical or electrical cardioversion to restore sinus rhythm is the next step in patients who remain in atrial fibrillation.
What is the drug of choice for atrial fibrillation?
Amiodarone as a first-choice drug for restoring sinus rhythm in patients with atrial fibrillation: a randomized, controlled study. Chest.
What are the warning signs of AFib?
The most common symptom: a quivering or fluttering heartbeatGeneral fatigue.Rapid and irregular heartbeat.Fluttering or “thumping” in the chest.Dizziness.Shortness of breath and anxiety.Weakness.Faintness or confusion.Fatigue when exercising.More items...•
How serious is atrial fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation isn't usually life-threatening or considered serious in people who are otherwise healthy. However, atrial fibrillation can be dangerous if you have diabetes, high blood pressure or other diseases of the heart. Either way, this condition needs to be properly diagnosed and managed by a doctor.
What foods should you avoid if you have atrial fibrillation?
Foods to avoid for AFibCaffeine and energy drinks.Alcohol. A 2014 study found that even moderate alcohol intake could be a risk factor for AFib. ... Red meat.Processed foods. Processed foods, such as ready meals or sausages, tend to have large quantities of salt and preservatives. ... Sugary foods and drinks.Salt.
What is the life expectancy of someone with atrial fibrillation?
Whether or not Afib shortens a person's lifespan depends on whether or not he or she can get their heart rate and anticoagulation under control. If controlled, then Afib doesn't shorten a person's lifespan. If these two things are not under control then Afib can shorten one's lifespan.
Can atrial fibrillation be cured?
There is no definite cure for AFib. The rhythm can be controlled with medicine, ablation and blood thinners and by lowering risk factors.
Is atrial fibrillation considered heart disease?
Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that can lead to blood clots in the heart. A-fib increases the risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.
Can atrial fibrillation be caused by anxiety?
Stress can contribute to heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) such as atrial fibrillation. Some studies suggest that stress and mental health issues may cause your atrial fibrillation symptoms to worsen.
How do I get my heart back in rhythm naturally?
Exercise regularly. Exercise can improve overall cardiovascular health and restore the heart's natural rhythm. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety. Cardiovascular exercise helps to strengthen the heart, which can prevent or reduce palpitations.
What Is Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation (AF or AFib) is the most common irregular heart rhythm that starts in the atria. Instead of the SA node (sinus node) directing...
What Are The Dangers of Atrial Fibrillation?
Some people live for years with atrial fibrillation without problems. However, atrial fibrillation can lead to future problems: 1. Because the atri...
What Causes Atrial Fibrillation?
There is no one “cause” of atrial fibrillation, although it is associated with many conditions, including:
What Are The Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation?
You may have atrial fibrillation without having any symptoms. If you have symptoms, they may include: 1. Heart palpitations - Sudden pounding, flut...
How long does atrial fibrillation last?
This type of atrial fibrillation is continuous and lasts longer than 12 months. Permanent. In this type of atrial fibrillation, the abnormal heart rhythm can't be restored. You'll have atrial fibrillation permanently, and you'll often require medications to control your heart rate and to prevent blood clots.
What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?
Those who do have atrial fibrillation symptoms may experience signs and symptoms such as: Palpitations, which are sensations of a racing, uncomfortable, irregular heartbeat or a flip-flopping in your chest. Weakness.
What is the electrical connection between the atria and the ventricles?
In atrial fibrillation, the signals in the upper chambers of your heart are chaotic. As a result, they quiver. The AV node — the electrical connection between the atria and the ventricles — is bombarded with impulses trying to get through to the ventricles.
What is the normal heart rate for a person with atrial fibrillation?
The heart rate in atrial fibrillation may range from 100 to 175 beats a minute. The normal range for a heart rate is 60 to 100 beats a minute. Your heart is made up of four chambers — two upper chambers (atria) and two lower chambers (ventricles).
How fast is the heart rate in atrial fibrillation?
The result is a fast and irregular heart rhythm. The heart rate in atrial fibrillation may range from 100 to 175 beats a minute.
Can a stroke cause atrial fibrillation?
There it might block blood flow, causing a stroke. The risk of a stroke in atrial fibrillation depends on your age (you have a higher risk as you age) and on whether you have high blood pressure, diabetes, a history of heart failure or a previous stroke, and other factors.
Can drinking alcohol cause atrial fibrillation?
Drinking alcohol. For some people, drinking alcohol can trigger an episode of atrial fibrillation.
What is the most common test for atrial fibrillation?
The most commonly used tests to diagnose atrial fibrillation include: Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): The ECG draws a picture on graph paper of the electrical impulses traveling through the heart muscle. An EKG provides an electrical “snapshot” of the heart.
Where does atrial fibrillation occur?
Because atrial fibrillation usually begins in the pulmonary veins or at their attachment to the left atrium, energy is applied around the connections of the pulmonary veins to the left atrium during the pulmonary vein ablation procedure.
What is electrical cardioversion?
Electrical Cardioversion: A cardioversion electrically “resets” the heart. Medications alone are not always effective in converting atrial fibrillation to a more normal rhythm. Sometimes cardioversion is used to restore a normal heart rhythm and allow the medication to successfully maintain the normal rhythm.
What is the most common irregular heart rhythm that starts in the atria?
Atrial fibrillation ( AF or AFib) is the most common irregular heart rhythm that starts in the atria. Instead of the SA node (sinus node) directing the electrical rhythm, many different impulses rapidly fire at once, causing a very fast, chaotic rhythm in the atria.
What is the rate of impulses in the atria?
The ventricles contract irregularly, leading to a rapid and irregular heartbeat. The rate of impulses in the atria can range from 300 to 600 beats per minute. There are two types of atrial fibrillation. Paroxysmal is intermittent, meaning it comes and goes and continuous is persistent.
What is a pulmonary vein ablation?
Pulmonary Vein Ablation: Pulmonary vein ablation (also called pulmonary vein antrum isolation or PVAI) may be an option for people who cannot tolerate medications or when medications are not effective in treating atrial fibrillations.
What is an ECG recording of atrial fibrillation?
An ECG recording of atrial fibrillation. Instead of the impulse traveling in an orderly fashion through the heart, many impulses begin at the same time and spread through the atria, competing for a chance to travel through the AV node.
How to treat atrial fibrillation?
Heart rate medicines: The most common way to treat atrial fibrillation is with drugs that control your heartbeat. These slow your rapid heart rate so your heart can pump better. You may need other drugs. Some are called beta-blockers. They also slow your heart rate.
How to treat AFIB without surgery?
If medicines don't work or they cause side effects, you can try one of two procedures called cardioversion or ablation. These treat AFib without surgery. Electrical cardioversion: The doctor gives your heart a shock to regulate your heartbeat. They’ll use paddles or stick patches called electrodes onto your chest.
What is the procedure that a doctor uses to guide a catheter?
The doctor makes several small cuts between your ribs and uses a camera to guide catheters for either cryoablation or radiofrequency ablation. Some hospitals offer robot-assisted surgery that uses smaller cuts and allows for greater precision. Your doctor will put a video camera or tiny robot into your chest.
What is AFIB and how does it affect your heart?
Living With AFib. Atrial fibrillation is a problem with your heart 's electrical activity. You and your doctor have treatment options if your symptoms become too severe. With AFib, your heart quivers, beats irregularly, or skips beats. It can't pump blood through its chambers and out to your body as well as it should.
How does a doctor destroy the AV node?
Your doctor will insert a catheter into a vein in your groin and slide it up to the AV node, a nerve that conducts electrical impulses between the top and bottom chambers of your heart. They’ll send radiofrequency energy through the catheter to destroy the AV node. This stops the signals from reaching your ventricle.
How does AFIB work?
It’s connected to one or two wires that are inserted through a vein and sit in your heart. It delivers painless electric pulses that make your heart beat. Treating the Causes of AFib. If problems such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, or an overactive thyroid caused your AFib, you'll need to treat the root cause.
What is the treatment for sinus rhythm?
Heart rhythm medicines: They slow the electrical signals to bring your heartbeat into what’s called a normal sinus rhythm. These treatments are sometimes called chemical cardioversion: Sodium channel blockers, which slow your heart's ability to conduct electricity: Flecainide ( Tambocor)
Atrial Fibrillation Overview
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat that increases the risk of stroke and heart disease. Signs include dizziness, weakness, and fatigue. Treatment involves medication and lifestyle changes, and sometimes procedures such as cardioversion, ablation, pacemakers, or surgery.
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How to achieve cardioversion?
Cardioversion may be achieved via medication (antiarrhythmic agents) or by giving the heart a reset by administering an electric shock (electros hock cardioversion). To increase the chances of a lasting result, this is often followed by a maintenance treatment involving antiarrhythmic agents.
What is the priority for AF?
The absolute number one priority in treating AF is to avoid a stroke. The key thing is to first reduce the formation of blood clots. So there is a good chance you will be prescribed blood thinning medication.
What is the most common heart rhythm disorder?
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder. From the age of 40 upwards, the risk of developing this heart rhythm disorder is 1 in 4. And the condition is not an innocent one. Even if you do not experience any symptoms, the irregular trembling or fibrillation of your heart may result in the formation ...
Does atrial fibrillation go away?
Because, even if it does not always affect you: atrial fibrillation will not go away by itself if left to its own devices. The contrary is true. The severity of the condition only increases over time. But there is no cause for panic. Often the potential medical treatment is as simple as ABC. Literally.
Is cardioversion successful?
Sadly, the fact of the matter is that cardioversion is not always unequivocally successful. Young patients with a fairly recent atrial fibrillation and without any other heart problems are less at risk of a relapse. Nonetheless, fibrillations are often seen to re-emerge.
Diagnosis
Clinical Trials
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
Preparing For Your Appointment
Specialist to consult
Overview
Symptoms
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Causes
- 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…
Risk Factors
- 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'…
Complications
Prevention
- Some people with atrial fibrillation (A-fib) don't notice any symptoms. Those who do have atrial fibrillation symptoms may have signs and symptoms such as: 1. Sensations of a fast, fluttering or pounding heartbeat (palpitations) 2. Chest pain 3. Dizziness 4. Fatigue 5. Lightheadedness 6. Reduced ability to exercise 7. Shortness of breath 8. Weakness Atrial fibrillation may be: 1. Occa…