Keep blood pressure and cholesterol in check : High blood pressure and cholesterol lipids buildup are silent threats to the heart.
Over time, these conditions can lead to heart attack , stroke , peripheral artery disease and other forms of cardiovascular disease. Learn more about high blood pressure here. For information about cholesterol, click here.
Enjoy alcohol and caffeine in moderation or eliminate them entirely : Too much alcohol or caffeine can spell trouble for the heart, particularly when used in excess. Medications for Atrial Fibrillation Treatment for atrial fibrillation has two goals: stroke prevention and control of Afib symptoms. The blood-thinning medications used to help prevent the formation of blood clots include the following Warfarin Coumadin is perhaps the best-known of all blood thinners; however, it does have its drawbacks, including the risk of severe bleeding.
Regular blood tests are necessary to monitor the way you are responding to the medication. Click here to learn more about warfarin. Dabigatran Pradaxa does not require a blood test. However, it is a shorter-acting medication. This means it does not stay in the bloodstream as long as warfarin. Find more information about dabigatran here. Rivaroxaban Xarelto is taken once daily and does not require a regular blood test. Click here to learn more about rivaroxaban.
Apixaban Eliquis has proven very effective at reducing the risk of stroke. Read more about apixaban here. Beta blockers are a class of medications that are commonly used for heart rate control.
These medications block some of the effects of adrenaline, which tends to make the heart beat faster. Metoprolol is an example of a commonly used beta blocker. Calcium channel blockers are another frequently used medication for heart rate control. Diltiazem is an example of a calcium channel blocker. These drugs affect a channel in the cells of the heart that controls the flow of calcium in and out of these cells.
Blocking the transport of calcium through these channels slows the rate of the heart. Digoxin is an older drug that is still used to assist in the overall heart rate control for people with Afib. Amiodarone is a medication prescribed to restore the heart to normal sinus rhythm. Or it may be used to keep the heart in normal rhythm after a procedure called electrical cardioversion , where the heart is shocked into normal rhythm. Sotalol may be used for rhythm management. Propafenone and flecainide are referred to as class IC medications.
Class I medications effect sodium transport across cell membranes in the heart. These medications are reserved for rhythm control in people whose only heart problem is Afib.. That is, people with known blockages in their heart arteries and people who have weakened and dysfunctional heart muscle are generally not prescribed these medications.
Quinidine may be used for rhythm control. Dronedarone is a rhythm control medication. If Medications Fail to Control Atrial Fibrillation Following a heart-healthy lifestyle and taking medications as prescribed works for many people who have Afib. They may be able to refer you to a cardiac rehabilitation program, which helps people with heart problems to make and stick with healthy habits. You can learn more about cardiac rehab here. This website includes several articles on how to keep track of your medications and how to work with your pharmacist and other healthcare providers to make taking medications easier.
Click here to check them out. These include the following: Electrical cardioversion : While the patient is under sedation, the doctor administers a brief shock to the heart, which resets the heart to its normal rhythm. More information about electrical cardioversion can be found here.
In this procedure, a specialist called an electrophysiologist guides long, slender tubes catheters through the blood vessels to the heart.
This destroys the cells that are causing the irregular heart activity. But you might not stay in a normal rhythm for very long. If atrial fibrillation comes back quickly within a week or so , having cardioversion a third time, or more, is less likely to help you. Your doctor might recommend a different treatment, such as a rhythm-control medicine, to get your heart rhythm back to normal. If you take antiarrhythmic medicines too, they can help you stay in a normal rhythm longer.
Cardioversion may be less successful or may not be recommended if you:. Cardioversion is more likely to be successful if:. Risks of the procedure include the following:.
Cardioversion can also be done with medicines. These medicines are called rhythm control medicines, or antiarrhythmics. These medicines can also help keep your heart in a normal rhythm after it has been reset.
You may get pills, or the medicine may be put into your arm through a tube called an IV. If an IV is used, it will be done in the hospital. You may start pills in the hospital and continue taking them at home, or you may start the pills at home.
Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: Rakesh K. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
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Top of the page. Treatment Overview Electrical cardioversion is a procedure in which an electric current is used to reset the heart's rhythm back to its regular pattern normal sinus rhythm. See pictures of: The electrical system of the heart. Thinking about the facts and your feelings can help you make a decision that is right for you. Be sure you understand the benefits and risks of your options. And think about what else you need to do before you make the decision.
Author: Healthwise Staff. Gabica MD - Family Medicine. Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. More Alberta Content. Important Phone Numbers. Topic Contents How can you decide between electrical cardioversion and rate control medicines for atrial fibrillation? Where can you learn more? Top of the page. How can you decide between electrical cardioversion and rate control medicines for atrial fibrillation? What is atrial fibrillation? What are key points about this decision?
But the problem can come back.
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