Can atrial fibrillation be cured?

Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
Updated on September 20, 2024
00:00
00:00

The treatment of atrial fibrillation, first and foremost, should actively seek the primary disease and inducing factors of atrial fibrillation, and make corresponding treatments. Currently, the treatment of atrial fibrillation mainly includes two types: one is drug treatment. Since patients with atrial fibrillation have a higher incidence of embolism and may have a history of embolism, valve disease, hypertension, diabetes, older patients, left atrial enlargement, and coronary heart disease, which can increase the risk of embolism, therefore, such patients should be advised to undergo long-term anticoagulation treatment. Another type of drug treatment is to control the ventricular rate. When drug treatment is ineffective, surgical treatment can be chosen, and the main surgical treatment currently is radiofrequency ablation.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
1min home-news-image

Can atrial fibrillation be cured?

The treatment of atrial fibrillation, first and foremost, should actively seek the primary disease and inducing factors of atrial fibrillation, and make corresponding treatments. Currently, the treatment of atrial fibrillation mainly includes two types: one is drug treatment. Since patients with atrial fibrillation have a higher incidence of embolism and may have a history of embolism, valve disease, hypertension, diabetes, older patients, left atrial enlargement, and coronary heart disease, which can increase the risk of embolism, therefore, such patients should be advised to undergo long-term anticoagulation treatment. Another type of drug treatment is to control the ventricular rate. When drug treatment is ineffective, surgical treatment can be chosen, and the main surgical treatment currently is radiofrequency ablation.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
1min 35sec home-news-image

Can a normal heart rate have atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation includes paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and persistent atrial fibrillation. Patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation may have a normal heart rate during non-attack periods. In contrast, those with persistent atrial fibrillation continuously experience atrial fibrillation rates, presenting with irregular heart sounds of varying intensity. A normal electrocardiogram displays P waves, QRS complexes, and T waves. However, patients with atrial fibrillation either do not exhibit P waves or show irregularly sized, serrated P waves resembling dog teeth, suggesting atrial fibrillation. Therefore, although atrial fibrillation is associated with arrhythmias, individuals with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation may have a normal heart rate but experience repeated palpitations, chest tightness, discomfort in the precordial region, and fatigue. Therefore, patients who frequently experience palpitations should undergo a 24-hour Holter monitor test or consider esophageal electrophysiological examinations to rule out arrhythmic disorders, such as atrial fibrillation and supraventricular tachycardia. Hence, a normal heart rate does not exclude the presence of atrial fibrillation in individuals with corresponding symptoms.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
52sec home-news-image

Can hormones be used for atrial fibrillation?

Patients with atrial fibrillation can use steroids, but in principle, it is best not to use them. This is because the use of steroids can cause excitement of the sympathetic nerves, leading to an increased heart rate, which in turn can trigger an episode of atrial fibrillation and cause uncomfortable heart symptoms, such as palpitations, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing. Of course, atrial fibrillation is not a contraindication for the use of steroids. If the condition requires it, such as during an asthma attack or certain immunological diseases, steroids can be used. When using steroids, it is important to strengthen observation and inform the patient to seek timely medical attention at a hospital if symptoms of an atrial fibrillation episode, such as palpitations or chest tightness, occur.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
50sec home-news-image

How to diagnose atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation, abbreviated as AF, refers to rapid and irregular beating of the atrial chambers of the heart. How should one be examined after being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation? Generally, the examination for atrial fibrillation involves the following aspects: First, blood tests, such as thyroid function tests, to see if there is hyperthyroidism causing the atrial fibrillation. Second, echocardiography. This test can reveal whether there are any heart valve diseases or myocardial diseases that might lead to atrial fibrillation. Third, electrocardiogram (ECG) and Holter monitor. Both ECG and Holter monitoring are effective and non-invasive tests that confirm the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
50sec home-news-image

What medicine is used for atrial fibrillation?

The current medications for atrial fibrillation mainly include three types: the first type controls the ventricular rate, which ensures the basic function of the patient's heart and minimizes the cardiac dysfunction caused by atrial fibrillation. This includes drugs such as receptor blockers and calcium channel antagonists, digoxin, amiodarone, and others. The second type of drugs are those used for cardioversion. The third type of drugs are those used to prevent embolism, which are anticoagulants. Currently, the main drugs include warfarin, new anticoagulants such as dabigatran and rivaroxaban, and intravenous medications like low molecular weight heparin calcium and nadroparin.