Atrial Fibrillation

Are You At Risk Because Of Atrial Fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is something that millions of people suffer from, they just don’t know it yet. You may have heard of people dropping dead because of blood clots, well that is reality and it could happen to you. What happens is that the heart moves away from paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (normal heart rhythm) and simply shivers instead of actually beating and when that happens blood that should be pumped out is often left behind. If it stays in the heart and pools this can lead to clotting. If just one tiny bit of clot is let loose into the bloodstream it could mean disaster for your entire body. It could get stuck in one of the tiny blood vessels of your brain cause a serious or even fatal stroke. Studies have shown that as much as 15 percent of all strokes are caused by this.

Age And The Pathophysiology Of Atrial Fibrillation

The older you get the more chances you have of developing atrial fibrillation. Your heart is run by its own electrical system, it is this system that controls how and when the heart beats. If the myocardium (the heart muscle) does not receive the proper impulses it will not contract as it should leading to atrial fibrillation.

Treating Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation needs to be treated as soon as it is diagnosed. There are a few things that can be done to help to regulate the beating of the heart. Since most people with AF have a faster than normal heart rate, drugs to slow it down may be prescribed.

Here are just a few of the more common drugs associated with atrial fibrillation:

  • Digoxin
  • Propafenone
  • Beta blockers (atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol)
  • Amiodarone
  • Sisopyramide
  • Sotalol
  • Flecainide
  • Procainamide
  • Calcium antagonists (verapamil, diltiazam)
  • Quinidine

Electrical cardioversion is another approach that has worked for many people with this condition. This requires giving a small electrical shock to the heart. This may sound a little extreme but when drugs are not working this often will.

Radio frequency ablation is yet another solution that you may have to consider if medications are simply not controlling your heart rate and beat. For this treatment the surgeon will feed small tubes right into the blood vessels and the heart itself in order to apply a shock of radiofrequency energy. This will help to destroy the tissues that may be blocking the electrical system of the heart from sending the impulse to the myocardium.

Talk To Your Doctor About Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a serious condition that needs to be seen to by a professional. The above mentioned treatments are just a few of the ones that exist today. To find the best one for you and your heart you need to talk to your own specialist as soon as possible. BY treating your atrial fibrillation you could prevent a serious stroke that could put you out of commission for good.

Preventing Atrial Fibrillation

Keeping your heart strong and healthy is the top way to prevent atrial fibrillation. Exercise regularly and eat right all year long. This doesn’t mean you have to work out for hours on end each day, just be as active as you can and your health will thank you for it.

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