How is atrial fibrillation treated?

Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
Updated on September 21, 2024
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Atrial fibrillation is a common type of arrhythmia in our daily lives, and it has many dangers. First, it produces symptoms; when atrial fibrillation occurs, patients often experience palpitations and chest discomfort. Second, it can induce heart failure. Third, it can cause complications such as cerebral infarction. Therefore, the treatment of atrial fibrillation is usually divided into the following types: first, pharmacological treatment, such as using amiodarone to maintain sinus rhythm and taking warfarin to prevent thrombosis. Second, surgical treatment, such as radiofrequency ablation therapy, which is a minimally invasive method and is hoped to prevent further episodes of atrial fibrillation.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Can atrial fibrillation heal itself?

No. Atrial fibrillation, often abbreviated as AFib, is becoming more common as society ages. Many patients ask their doctors if AFib will go away on its own. The answer is no, AFib will not resolve itself. Therefore, once diagnosed with AFib, it is essential to visit a hospital and follow the guidance of a doctor. Proper medication under medical supervision can control symptoms, prevent complications, ensure a good quality of life, improve long-term outcomes, and extend life expectancy.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
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Is heart palpitation the same as atrial fibrillation?

Palpitations are considered a disease term in Chinese medicine, while atrial fibrillation is a medical term in Western medicine. Generally, if there is a correlation between Chinese and Western medical terminology, palpitations can correspond to atrial fibrillation, but not all cases of palpitations are atrial fibrillation. In Chinese medicine, palpitations refer to a subjective feeling of unease or discomfort in the chest, and a feeling of irregular heartbeats. For example, some people may feel their heartbeat distinctly even when their heart rate is not fast, especially when their blood pressure is high; this is also considered palpitations. Additionally, some people may experience a rapid "thumping" heart rate after physical exertion or when they have a fever, which is also a manifestation of palpitations. There are also healthy, sensitive young individuals who can feel their heartbeat while lying down quietly or during sleep, which is also classified as palpitations. However, palpitations that are caused by heart arrhythmias, like atrial fibrillation, where individuals can feel their heart beating rapidly and experience anxiety, are specifically indicative of atrial fibrillation; other types are not considered the same.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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Is atrial fibrillation the same as atrial flutter?

Atrial fibrillation, also known simply as AFib, is the same disease just referred to by different names. Atrial fibrillation is caused by various reasons leading to pathological changes in cardiac contractility and conductivity. By using a stethoscope, a doctor can detect irregularities in heart rate and varying intensities of heart sounds. Electrocardiogram (ECG) tests can record the distinctive waveforms of atrial fibrillation. Rapid atrial fibrillation requires medication for treatment. If not effectively treated, long-term atrial fibrillation can lead to heart failure, resulting in insufficient blood supply to the body and causing significant harm.

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Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
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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.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Can people with atrial fibrillation drink alcohol?

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia among many middle-aged and elderly people, and in our country, which has a strong culture of alcohol consumption, many people enjoy drinking. So, can you drink alcohol if you have atrial fibrillation? My advice is that it's best not to drink. Modern medical research has shown that alcohol can potentially trigger attacks of atrial fibrillation, and in our clinical practice, we often find that many patients experience an onset of atrial fibrillation by drinking alcohol, sometimes even necessitating hospital treatment due to the episodes. Therefore, it is recommended that patients with atrial fibrillation avoid or minimize alcohol consumption.