Along With Helpful Treatment Options
Atrialfibrillation, often called AFib, causes an irregular and sometimes rapid heartbeat.
It ranks as one of the most commonarrhythmias(irregular heart rhythms).
AFib affects more than 5 million U.S. adults.
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AFib can occur with or without symptoms.
Untreated AFib raises your risk ofblood clots,stroke,heart attack, andheart failure.
Treating the problem can prevent these dangers and let you live a normal and active life.
This article describes atrial fibrillation symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
It also tells you which symptoms are serious and need urgent care.
The problem prevents blood from flowing normally to the ventricles (the two bottom cardiac chambers).
The effect can leave you feeling tired or dizzy.
When not enough blood is pumped from your atria, the blood may pool there.
This increases your risk of blood clots and stroke.
It can also cause or worsen other types ofheart disease.
Without treatment, AFib episodes can occur more often and last longer.
The problem can weaken your heart and increase your stroke or heart failure risk.
Who Gets Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation can occur due to changes in your heart’s structure.
Some people have atrial fibrillation without symptoms.
Symptoms can also vary by bang out of disease.
Stage 1 means a person has risk factors.
Stage 2 is when electrical abnormalities have developed in the heart but not yet led to symptomatic AFib.
Stage 3 encompasses paroxysmal, persistent, and long-standing AFib.
Permanent AFib is called Stage 4.
This can affect your functional status, reducing your ability to perform daily activities.
These symptoms include the following:
When Should You Worry About AFib Symptoms?
Your healthcare provider can advise you when AFib symptoms are a cause for concern.
Contact your healthcare provider if your AFib episode lasts 24 to 48 hours without stopping or if symptoms worsen.
The effect can weaken your heart and reduce its ability to pump blood.
This rate of contraction defines your heart rate.
AFib causes the atria to generate erratic electrical signals that cause a rapid beat.
When these signals are sent to your ventricles, they may or may not cause symptoms.
AFib with RVRdescribes a condition in which the ventricles respond by beating irregularly, causing a rapid heart rate.
Treatment can involve medication, devices, and/or surgery.
They include the following:
Antiarrhythmic:These medications work to restore and maintain normal heart rhythm.
Anticoagulants:These medications prevent blood clot formation or treat an existing blood clot.
The most commonly used anticoagulant for atrial fibrillation isJantoven(warfarin).
Novel anticoagulant (NOAC) drugs:These newer versions of blood thinners offer an alternative to warfarin.
They work by inhibiting the clotting factors in your blood.
They include the following:
Antiplatelets:These medications target the activation of platelets to prevent blood clots.
The most commonly used antiplatelet for atrial fibrillation is aspirin.
Procedures and Surgery
Treatment for atrial fibrillation also includes surgical and nonsurgical procedures.
These therapies include the following:
Does Treatment Fix Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation is a lifelong condition that can’t be cured.
However, symptoms can be managed with proper medical treatment and oversight.
While successful treatment may restore a normal heart rhythm, atrial fibrillation eventually recurs in most people.
Your healthcare provider can discuss the best strategy for your condition.
However, the actual cause of death varies greatly.
Lifestyle changes can also reduce your risk of complications and improve your prognosis.
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