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Getting Back Into Rhythm: Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation sit down and rest. He says that patients with symptoms are the safest because their doctors can diagnose their atrial fibrillation and treat it. Initial treatment usually involves medications that control the heart rate and blood thinners that prevent clots from forming in the heart that can migrate to the brain and cause a stroke. It’s the patients without symptoms who Dr. Altawil worries the most about, as many don’t know they have AFib until they have a Your heart keeps you moving, so it’s import- life-threatening event such as a stroke. ant to ensure that it is healthy and beating to the right beat. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is A heart specialist called an electrophysiolthe most common abnormal heart rhythm in ogist can use a procedure in which a caththe United States. It can have negative conse- eter, or thin tube, is inserted into a blood quences on the heart, including an increased vessel in the groin and threaded up to the heart. There, small portions of heart tissue risk of stroke and heart failure. So what is can be strategically scarred through either atrial fibrillation, its symptoms and treathigh heat (radiofrequency ablation) or cold ment options? (cryoablation). This scarring will prevent electrical impulses from traveling where What is Atrial Fibrillation they are not supposed to. This minimally inThe heart functions optimally when the vasive procedure avoids open-heart surgery heart muscle, valves and electrical properand has a 70% success rate in curing AFib. ties of the heart are in sync, allowing humans to live long and healthy lives. A norAnother important aspect in the treatment mal heart rhythm is very regular, which is essential to feeling well. In atrial fibrillation, of atrial fibrillation is risk factor modification. This includes treatment of obesity, your heart loses about 20% of its pumping sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high choefficiency, leading to fatigue and shortness lesterol, diabetes, coronary disease and cesof breath during strenuous activity. sation of smoking, heavy alcohol use and drug use. Medications and/or ablation alone When Your Heart Skips a Beat are not sufficient and must be accompanied “Everyone has skipped beats,” says Dr. Altawil, “where they notice an irregular heart- by appropriate treatment of these other medical problems as well. beat from time to time.” That’s not what he and his colleagues are concerned about. Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart It’s when these bouts are sustained or prolonged, lasting anywhere from 10 minutes to rhythm disorder and one that is underdiagdays, weeks or even years before being rec- nosed. See your doctor if you experience an irregular heartbeat and symptoms of dizognized. ziness, light-headedness or fainting. Today, there are treatment options for AFib that can “Most patients feel terrible when they go into atrial fibrillation, so they will seek med- restore your quality of life – and might just save it. To schedule an appointment with Dr. ical treatment,” Dr. Altawil says. Common signs are feeling sick, dizzy and the need to Mahmoud Altawil, visit FindHeartCare.com.
