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Everything You Need to Know About Treating Atrial Fibrilation

Atrial Fibrillation treatment varies from patient to patient, depending on a number of factors including:

• Symptoms
• Type of Atrial Fibrillation
• Age
• Treatment of any underlying cause
• Overall health

In treating the condition, the doctor first needs to find the cause of the Atrial Fibrillation. If a cause is found, then you may only need treatment for this underlying cause. For instance, it is possible to cure Atrial Fibrillation by treating hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland), if you have the condition.

Treatment options for Atrial Fibrillation 

Where a cause cannot be found, the cardiologist can recommend one (or more) of five treatment options:

1.Medication to control atrial fibrillation

This involves using anti-arrhythmics to control Atrial Fibrillation. These medications work by restoring normal heart rhythm, and controlling the rate at which the heart beats. Depending on several factors, you may need more than one type of anti-arrhythmic medicine to control Atrial Fibrillation.

2.Medication to reduce risk of stroke

The abnormal heartbeats in Atrial Fibrillation patients increase risk of blood clots forming within the heart. If the clots enter the blood stream, one can get a stroke. This is especially possible if you have a history of stroke, blood clots, heart valve problems, heart failure, high blood pressure, or diabetes. Common medications include Warfarin and newer anticoagulants such as Rivaroxaban, Dabigatran, and Apixaban.

3.Cardioversion (electric shock treatment)

This is where the heart is subjected to a controlled electric shock in a bid to restore normal rhythm. The procedure must only take place in a hospital where the heart is carefully monitored.

4.Having a pacemaker fitted

A pacemaker is a small, battery-powered device implanted in the chest, just under the collarbone. Often used to prevent the heart from going too slowly, in Atrial Fibrillation the peacemaker is used to help the heart beat regularly.

5.Catheter ablation

This is a delicate procedure that very carefully destroys the affected area of the heart. It also interrupts abnormal electric signals. Thin, soft catheters are guided through one of your veins into the heart to record electrical activity. Once the source of abnormality is found, high-frequency radio waves are transmitted through one of the catheters to destroy the abnormal tissue

Contact Dr. Seldon Today

Dr. Seldon, a Heart Doctor and Cardiologist in New York City, offers same day appointments and all testing is done on site. Call us at (212) 367-8000.