Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common heart rhythm abnormality in the U.S.; and although AFib is usually not life threatening, it can lead to other serious problems such as stroke and congestive heart failure. Working with your physician and the team at Eastern New Mexico Medical Center, AFib can be controlled to significantly reduce your risk factors.
Types of AFib:
- Paroxysmal – Episodes start and stop on their own and last for less than 7 days.
- Persistent – Episodes lasting longer than 7 days that typically require treatment to stop them.
- Permanent – Ongoing symptoms that resist most treatment attempts.
Diagnosis
An EKG is performed to record the electrical activity of your heart. Additional blood tests and cardiovascular testing may be performed to aid in diagnosis.
Treatment Options
The goal of atrial fibrillation treatment is to reduce the risk of stroke through anticoagulation (or blood thinners) and by controlling the heart’s rate and rhythm.
- Anticoagulation – To reduce your risk of stroke, your doctor will likely prescribe medication to prevent blood clots from forming in your heart due to atrial fibrillation. Warfarin (coumadin) and aspirin are the two most commonly used, but there are also new oral antithrombotic agents which may be prescribed.
- Rate – To control your heart rate, your doctor may prescribe medications to slow down the rate at which your heart beats. These medications may include a beta-blocker, calcium channel blocker or digoxin.
- Rhythm – To restore a regular rhythm, your doctor may prescribe an antiarrhythmic medication. These medications are also given to sustain a regular rhythm.
Beyond Medication
- Electrical cardioversion – If the medications are not successful in restoring your heart’s regular rhythm, your doctor may elect to do an electrical cardioversion. This is an outpatient procedure where a small electrical shock is delivered from outside the chest wall.
- Catheter ablation – A catheter ablation is another option to restore your heart’s regular rhythm. A catheter is inserted through a blood vessel in your heart. It delivers radio frequency energy to destroy abnormal electrical pathways.
- Surgery – Another alternative treatment for atrial fibrillation is a surgery called a Maze procedure. A surgeon makes incisions in the heart muscle during open heart surgery to block abnormal electrical pathways.