Treatment for atrial fibrillation depends on how long you've had A-fib, your symptoms and the underlying cause of the heartbeat problem. The goals of treatment are to: Reset the heart rhythm Control the heart rate Prevent blood clots that can lead to stroke Atrial fibrillation treatment may involve:
Full Answer
What kind of Doctor treats atrial fibrillation (AFIB)?
People with atrial fibrillation are 5 times more likely to have a stroke. 1. Data show that 15-20% of strokes are related to atrial fibrillation. 2. Atrial fibrillation causes the atria to beat too fast. The atria cannot contract as they should. As a result, blood pools in …
What are the treatment goals for atrial fibrillation?
Jul 30, 2017 · This downloadable sheet, Partnering in Your Treatment (PDF), can help you discuss your goals and options with your healthcare provider. Treatment options may include one or more of the following: Medications. Nonsurgical procedures. Surgical procedures.
Can AFIB be treated in the emergency room?
How atrial fibrillation is treated depends on the underlying cause, and on the frequency and severity of symptoms. In general, your doctor aims to: Reduce your risk of stroke. Most people need a type of blood-thinner medication (such as warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban or dabigatran) to reduce the risk of clotting.
How do medications treat atrial fibrillation (AFIB)?
Atrial fibrillation is also a major risk factor for stroke, so getting it properly diagnosed and treated is very important. Concerned you may have AF or want to find out more about AF treatments? Leading London cardiologist Dr Syed Ahsan treats patients with a wide range of heart-related symptoms and conditions, including atrial fibrillation, and is a catheter ablation specialist.
What kind of doctor treats AFib?
Why is it important to treat atrial fibrillation?
What is the most effective treatment for atrial fibrillation?
What are the goals of treatment of atrial fibrillation?
What is the most common cause of atrial fibrillation?
What should you not do if you have atrial fibrillation?
- Alcohol. Alcohol tops the list of items to avoid on an atrial fibrillation diet. ...
- Caffeine. ...
- Grapefruit. ...
- Cranberry Juice. ...
- Asparagus and Leafy Green Vegetables. ...
- Processed and Salty Foods. ...
- Gluten.
What is the life expectancy of someone with atrial fibrillation?
What is the first step in treating AFib?
What is the first drug of choice for atrial fibrillation?
What is the most common complication associated with atrial fibrillation?
Does AFib damage the heart?
Can atrial fibrillation go away?
What test is used to diagnose atrial fibrillation?
Your doctor will try to pinpoint what’s causing it. Tests used to diagnose atrial fibrillation include: Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): This test, which evaluates the heart’s electrical activity, can usually confirm the condition.
How many people have atrial fibrillation?
About 2.7 million Americans have been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. Even more have the condition but aren’t aware of symptoms.
Does warfarin help with stroke?
Reduce your risk of stroke. Most people need a type of blood-thinner medication (such as warfarin, apixaban, rivaroxaban or dabigatran) to reduce the risk of clotting. With warfarin, frequent blood checks are needed to monitor effectiveness and dose, but this is not required for the newer blood thinners, says Calkins. Medication decisions are based on assessment of your stroke risk. Most patients with AF who are over age 65 require a blood thinner, Calkins says.
Can you use anti-arrhythmic medication for atrial fibrillation?
If these options are ineffective, catheter ablation can be performed. This procedure is used to eliminate atrial fibrillation by cauterizing certain areas in the heart that cause atrial fibrillation, says Calkins.
What tests are done for AF?
You may also be sent for other tests, such as blood tests and an echocardiogram (an ultrasound scan of the heart), to check for other conditions that may be linked with the AF or causing the symptoms.
Why does AF happen?
AF occurs due to problems with the heart’s electrical conduction system, which regulates the heartbeat and keeps the heart functioning normally. In people with atrial fibrillation, the electrical system in the heart’s upper left chamber – the part of the heart that receives oxygen-rich blood from the lungs – becomes disrupted. In a healthy heart, the upper chamber efficiently pumps this oxygen-rich blood into the lower chambers, which then pump it into the arteries to be carried around the body. But when atrial fibrillation occurs and the system becomes erratic, blood can pool in the upper chambers instead.
Why do some people have atrial fibrillation?
The biggest is age – the vast majority of people diagnosed with AF are 65 and over – although younger people can develop it too. People with a family history of AF may also be more likely to develop it, as well as those with certain pre-existing conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, overactive thyroid and other heart conditions. Lifestyle factors, such as being overweight, smoking and drinking too much alcohol can also increase the risk of AF.
Can AF cause stroke?
Not everybody with AF will experience serious complications. However, atrial fibrillation is a major risk factor in stroke – as when blood pools in the heart, it’s easier for clots to develop. Every 15 seconds, someone suffers an AF-related stroke, and these tend to be debilitating with higher mortality rates.
Can AF be persistent?
AF can occur in brief bouts or episodes (paroxysmal AF), while for others it can be constant (persistent AF). Paroxysmal AF may develop into persistent AF over time. You can read more about the condition in our blog: 9 things everybody should know about atrial fibrillation.
Is AF preventable?
The good news is, AF-related strokes are largely preventable if the AF is adequately managed and treated. Your consultant will be able to assess your risk of suffering a stroke and whether preventative treatment is required. There are also very effective treatments available to help manage symptoms of AF.
Can AF be detected?
Not everybody with AF experiences notice able symptoms. In fact, a significant number of people are only diagnosed after routine health checks, or tests carried out for other reasons.
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are scientific studies that determine if a possible new medical advance can help people and whether it has harmful side effects. Find answers to common questions about clinical trials in our Guide to Understanding Clinical Trials.
Connect with People Who Care
If you or someone you love is affected by atrial fibrillation, explore our online community for people living with AFib.
Does AFIB reduce the risk of stroke?
Decreases the risk of stroke and heart disease. The risk of having stroke in patients with chronic, recurring AFib is four times the rate of patients who have treated their AFib, according to the American Journal of Cardiology.
Is AFIB deadly?
Helps extend a patient’s life: AFib is deadly. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s Framingham Heart Study, among men between the ages of 55 and 74, the 10-year mortality rate was 61.5% in men with AFib versus 30% in men without AFib.
How to treat AF patients?
By far, the most effective way to treat AF patients is to provide them information. Knowledge is king. AF patients need to know stuff about their crazy new disease.
What is the best treatment for AF?
The best treatment for AF is knowledge.
What is the worst thing that can happen with AF?
The worst (and most non-reversible) thing that can happen with AF is a stroke. For AF patients with more than one of these conditions: Age> 75, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, or previous stroke, the only means of lowering stroke risk is to take an anticoagulant drug.
How much does AF heart rate work?
It works 60-80% of the time, has to be repeated one-third of the time and has a list of very serious complications. If your AF heart rate is not excessive, it’s unlikely that you will develop heart failure.
What are the symptoms of AF?
Your fatigue, shortness of breath and uneasiness in the chest are most likely related to your AF.
Can AF cause heart failure?
AF is nuts. It can cause heart failure and stroke, or it can cause nothing . It can disable some, and others don’t know they have it. Its incidence increases with age, degree of inflammation and general wear-and-tear, but it can also afflict the athletic and nimble.
Can AF pass without treatment?
AF may pass without treatment. Important new work suggests AF is modifiable with lifestyle measures. As in you can help yourself. AF isn’t immediately life-threatening, though it feels so. Worrying about AF is like worrying about getting gray hair and wrinkles. Plus, excessive worry makes AF more likely to occur.
What are the symptoms of AF?
Your fatigue, shortness of breath and uneasiness in the chest are most likely related to your AF.
What is the worst thing that can happen with AF?
The worst (and most non-reversible) thing that can happen with AF is a stroke. For AF patients with more than one of these conditions: Age> 75, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, or previous stroke , the only means of lowering stroke risk is to take an anticoagulant drug. Sorry about the skin bruises; a stroke is worse. Know you CHADS-VASc score.
Can you have a stroke with AF?
Likewise, if you have none of the 5 risks for stroke, or you take anti-coagulant drugs, AF is unlikely to cause a stroke. In these cases, you don’t have to take an AF-rhythm drug (s) or have an ablation. You can live with AF.
Can you live with AF?
You can live with AF. You might not be as good as you were, but you will continue to be. There’s obviously more than 13 things to say about AF. It’s a complicated disease with many different ways to the same end.
Is AF life threatening?
AF isn’t immediately life-threatening, though it feels so.
Is AF ablation hard on you?
But AF ablation is not like squishing a blockage or doing a stress test. It will be hard on you. It works 60-80% of the time, has to be repeated one-third of the time and has a list of very serious complications. If your AF heart rate is not excessive, it’s unlikely that you will develop heart failure.
Diagnosis
Treatment
- Treatment for atrial fibrillation depends on how long you've had A-fib, your symptoms and the underlying cause of the heartbeat problem. The goals of treatment are to: 1. Reset the heart rhythm 2. Control the heart rate 3. Prevent blood clots that can lead to stroke Atrial fibrillation treatment may involve: 1. Medications 2. Therapy to reset the h...
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'…