Focused Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is a heart rhythm issue affecting more than 2 million American adults, according to the . Left untreated, AFib can cause your heart to race, and you may experience shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness or fatigue. Additionally, AFib increases your stroke 谤颈蝉办.听听
While this abnormal heart rhythm can go away on its own, it often causes symptoms for years or a lifetime. Fortunately, there are a growing number of ways to manage the condition. What treatment for atrial fibrillation is right for you? That depends.听
鈥Treatment of atrial fibrillation requires a personalized, tailored approach,鈥 says Jim Cheung, M.D., FACC, FHRS, professor of Medicine and cardiac electrophysiologist at 麻豆传媒高清版. 鈥Proper treatment entails three things: reduction of stroke risk, symptom control and lifestyle modifications.鈥听
Reducing Your Stroke Risk听
With atrial fibrillation, your heart rate may exceed 180-200 beats per minute. At the same time, the upper heart chambers fall out of sync with the lower chambers. This fast, out-of-sync heart rhythm creates three problems.听
- Weak heartbeat. When the heart works too fast, each heartbeat may generate a weaker pulse due to worsened filling and contractility of the heart.听听
- Blood pooling. Weakened upper chamber contractions during AFib can lead to pooling of blood.听
- Clot formation. Over time, this pooled blood can clot. If that clot escapes the heart, it can travel to the brain vessels and interrupt blood flow, which can cause a stroke.听
Your risk for stroke increases with age, high blood pressure, diabetes or heart failure. Treating atrial fibrillation can reduce the risk of stroke. Treatment options include:听
- . Medication that helps keep your blood thin can reduce the likelihood of clots forming. If your stroke risk is low, you may reduce your risk with aspirin. Otherwise, your provider may prescribe warfarin or another blood-thinning medication.听
- Left atrial appendage occlusion. The left atrial appendage is a pouch of the left upper chamber of the heart, a common location of blood clots that form due to AFib. With a minimally invasive approach, a device can be deployed to block the opening of the left atrial appendage to prevent the formation of clots. This device can reduce the risk of stroke in patients with AFib and be an appropriate alternative to blood thinners in select patients with AFib.听
AFib Treatment for Symptomatic Control听听
In addition to managing stroke risk, treating atrial fibrillation can help reduce symptoms and the probability of developing heart failure. Your treatment choices depend on the root source of your AFib symptoms.听
Slow It Down听
When your AFib symptoms are linked to your racing heart, you need to slow your heart down. Otherwise, your heart is at risk.听
鈥淚f patients are at rapid heart rates for long periods of time,鈥 Dr. Cheung says, 鈥渋t can actually weaken the heart muscle.鈥听
To control your racing heart, Dr. Cheung recommends medication. Options include:听
- Beta blockers. This common medication slows your heart rate, which reduces AFib symptoms.听
- Calcium channel blockers. Like beta blockers, calcium channel blockers can slow your heart rate. They also relax blood vessels, causing them to widen. This lowers blood pressure and increases blood flow.听
Restoring Normal Rhythm by Stopping AFib听
In a healthy heart, all parts work together to push blood into the body. Atrial fibrillation disrupts the rhythm between the lower and upper chambers, decreasing the heart鈥檚 efficiency. When top and bottom parts aren鈥檛 in sync, restoring normal rhythm can lead to significant improvements in cardiac function.听听
A common way to restore heart rhythm is . This procedure includes:听
- Anesthesia. An anesthesiologist delivers anesthesia using an intravenous (IV) line. This medication helps you relax and remain unconscious during the procedure.听
- Electrodes. Electrodes placed on your chest (and possibly your back) monitor your heart鈥檚 electrical activity. A cardioversion machine records this information, which a cardiologist reviews in real-time.听
- Shocks. The cardiologist sends a low-energy shock to your heart muscle to get the top and bottom back in sync. If necessary, you receive multiple shocks.听
- Recovery. Your care team monitors you at the hospital for a few hours to ensure your heart rate and blood pressure remain stable.听听
Maintaining Normal Rhythm With Treatment听
鈥淥ftentimes, the hard part isn鈥檛 getting the patient back in normal rhythm,鈥 Dr. Cheung says. 鈥淩ather, it鈥檚 getting them to stay in normal rhythm.鈥听
For some patients, AFib can be paroxysmal, where it goes in and out of rhythm again and again. In others, AFib can return even after successful cardioversion. Therefore, treatment to keep patients in normal rhythm include:听
- Catheter ablation. An guides a thin, flexible tube (catheter) to your heart through a vein in your groin. The electrophysiologist identifies the areas causing the abnormal heart rhythm and delivers energy to stop AFib at its source. This energy destroys the tissue, helping the heart regain regular rhythm. Recent innovations in catheter ablation therapy have made this procedure more effective, shorter in duration and safer for patients.听听
- Antiarrhythmic drugs. Different medications that affect cardiac rhythm can keep patients in normal rhythm. The selection of the proper medication involves consideration of each patient鈥檚 disease profile and risks for side effects.听
Fighting AFib on the Daily听听
No matter what other treatment for atrial fibrillation your provider prescribes, a healthy life helps control your symptoms. Lifestyle tips for AFib management include:听
- Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. Dr. Cheung considers this a great way to reduce atrial fibrillation flares, especially for individuals who are obese. Alcohol has been well-established as a trigger of AFib, so reducing alcohol intake can significantly reduce AFib events.听
- Manage your other health issues. High blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea and chronic lung disease can all play a role in AFib. Treating atrial fibrillation properly requires you to manage these other chronic conditions as well.听
- Stop the stress. Stress does many things, including bringing on and worsening AFib. Practicing stress management can reduce your risk for worsening symptoms. recommends meditation, yoga, spending time outside and positive self-talk.听
鈥淭here鈥檚 no one-size-fits-all approach for atrial fibrillation,鈥 Dr. Cheung says. 鈥淵ou need to educate yourself and speak to your doctor to figure out the best treatment for you.鈥听
Could your heart use a helping hand? 麻豆传媒高清版 is home to a comprehensive team of heart specialists who are eager to get your heart back in rhythm. 听