About Atrial Fibrillation:
Atrial fibrillation is commonly known as irregular heartbeat which can lead to blood clots, heart failure, stroke and other similar heart complications. Atrial fibrillation is not normally life threatening. But due to not taking timely treatment or not paying attention, some complications may have to be faced. Therefore it is necessary to consult a doctor immediately. Mostly people above 65 years of age are found to be at higher risk, although it can affect people of any age group.
Symptoms of atrial fibrillation:
fast heartbeat like heart palpitations,
weakening of stamina,
shortness of breath,
weakness,
Pain in chest,
Dizziness or darkness in front of the eyes
Types of atrial fibrillation:
Untimely :
Its symptoms can appear from a few minutes, a few hours to a week.
• Temporary :
Normal heart rhythm cannot be restored and medication is needed to control heart rate and blood clotting.
• permanent :
Its symptoms are persistent and require treatment to return to normal.
• long live :
Its symptoms can last for more than 12 months.
Causes of atrial fibrillation:
Faulty functioning of the heart due to disorganized electrical signals,
heart attack,
increased blood pressure,
Congenital heart defects such as mitral valve regurgitation,
abnormal heart valves,
coronary artery disease,
overactive thyroid gland or other metabolic disorders,
exposure to stimulants such as certain drugs, tobacco, caffeine, or alcohol
Sick sinus syndrome: malfunction of the heart's natural pacemaker
lung disease,
heart surgery,
viral infections,
stress due to surgery, pneumonia, or other illnesses
Insomnia,
Risk related to atrial fibrillation:
older people,
Family history related to atrial fibrillation,
diabetic patients,
heavy drinkers,
obese people,
Complications related to atrial fibrillation:
Stroke: Due to the disturbed rhythm of the blood, the natural flow of blood is affected, due to which the blood accumulates in the upper chamber of the heart. Clogged blood forms a clot that lodges in an artery that supplies blood to the brain, causing a stroke.
Heart Failure: The heart becomes weak due to the accumulation of blood, and does not reach the blood to the whole body, thus ultimately it causes heart failure.
Ways to prevent atrial fibrillation:
eat healthy and well,
improve physical activity,
smoking should be avoided,
Excess of caffeine should be avoided,
Weight gain should be avoided
stress should be avoided,
limit alcohol consumption
Control over the counter medication (cough medicine and especially cold medicine)
Diagnosis of atrial fibrillation:
• stress testing :
TMT or Treadmill Mill Test to take ECG during running.
• ECG :
The electrocardiogram is attached to your chest through the leads.
• Event Recorder :
Like Holter it records the heart signals, when a person experiences any of the symptoms mentioned above, he/she presses a button which records it which is used to evaluate the ECG at the time of symptoms can go.
• Holter :
ECG is continuously monitored and recorded through a portable pocket ECG machine.
• Echocardiogram :
A hand-held device that uses sound waves to create a moving picture of your heart. It may be inserted into your throat to look for structural heart disease and blood clots.
• Chest X-ray :
To look for cardiomegaly, primarily in the differential diagnosis.
• blood test :
To rule out an underlying problem like hyperthyroidism.
Treatment of atrial fibrillation:
Conservative management depends on the underlying cause:
Electrical Cardio Version:
After giving a mild sedative medication, an electric shock is given through the paddle or patch. Thereby, your heart's electrical activity stops and resets.
Cardio version with drugs:
Antiarrhythmic drug with heart rate monitoring. It is a supplement along with blood thinning medications.
Heart rate control drugs such as calcium channel blockers and beta blockers.
Blood thinning treatment.
Surgical Management:
Catheter Ablation :
A catheter is guided with a tip from the leg to the heart, with radio waves or cold or hot waves hitting the tissue causing the arrhythmia.
table procedure:
Scalpel/radio waves or cryotherapy to stop atrial fibrillation.
Atrioventricular (AV) node ablation – ablation of the AV node followed by placement of a pacemaker in the lower chambers.
Left atrial appendage closure:
Catheter from leg to heart to prevent blood clots.
Lifestyle Changes:
Stop smoking
always be physically active
lose weight
BP or other medicine should be taken on time.
limit alcohol consumption
Diet Therapy:
Fruits and vegetables should be consumed in abundance.
Eat less non-vegetarian.
Decrease intake of Vitamin K.