Atrial fibrillation is characterized by a disorganization of electrical activity in the heart’s atria, leading to changes in heart rhythm, which becomes irregular and faster, reaching 175 beats per minute, which can increase the risk of stroke, heart failure or others. heart problems.
Atrial fibrillation can be asymptomatic, found only during routine exams, or cause symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness and weakness.
- Treatment is highly variable and will depend on the person.
- The signs and symptoms he or she presents.
- And the causes of atrial fibrillation.
In some people, fibrillation may not show any symptoms, but in some cases it may occur:
Diagnosis is usually made by an electrocardiogram, but in some cases, your doctor may indicate an echocardiogram, blood tests to see if there are thyroid problems, or a chest x-ray to assess the size of your heart area.
Atrial fibrillation sometimes does not have a known cause, however, in most cases it occurs due to heart defects or injuries.
In addition, some other causes that may promote the installation of atrial fibrillation include hypertension, history of heart attack, coronary heart disease, congenital diseases, hyperthyroidism, use of certain medications, caffeine, alcohol or tobacco use, lung problems, postoperative heart problems. surgery, viral infections, stress or sleep apnea, for example.
In some cases, the risk of developing atrial fibrillation may increase, such as in the elderly and people who abuse alcohol and certain stimulants.
Treatment will depend on the hemodynamic conditions of the person and when the arrhythmia has started, however, it is not always easy to specify the time of onset, which makes it a little difficult to approach and treat.
The goals of treatment are to normalize your heart rate and prevent blood clots from forming to reduce your risk of stroke. Depending on the time of onset of the arrhythmia and the person’s clinical condition, defibrillation may be required when a discharge is performed to reset the heart rate and return it to a normal sedated rate.
In addition, your doctor may prescribe antiarrhythmic medications, which reverse atrial fibrillation in stable patients and may also be used after reversal to prevent additional events. Examples of antiarrhythmic agents are amiodarone and propagating, for example. Beta blockers and calcium blockers can also be used to monitor heart rate and prevent atrial fibrillation. To prevent clots, your doctor may prescribe blood thinners and platelet inhibitors.
It is also important to exercise regularly, control blood pressure, avoid excess alcohol, caffeine or cigarettes, control cholesterol, reduce sugar intake and maintain a healthy weight.
Atrial fibrillation usually is not life-threatening, but in some cases it can cause complications or even emergency treatment is needed.
Atrial fibrillation can cause blood clots to form in the heart, circulating to other organs, which can block blood flow and cause ischemia. If they go to the brain, they can clog a cerebral artery and cause a stroke, with the risk of developing it about 5 times higher in people with atrial fibrillation.
In addition, when atrial fibrillation is very common, it can lead to heart failure. Because these complications are serious, it is important that treatment is done as soon as possible.