Q&A

Can you recover from atrial fibrillation?

Can you recover from atrial fibrillation?

When you have atrial fibrillation, or AFib, your heart has an irregular, sometimes quick rhythm. The condition can boost your chances for a stroke, heart failure, or other heart problems. Right now, there’s no cure for it.

What happens during atrial fibrillation?

During AFib, the heart receives electrical signals that come from outside the SA node causing the atria to contract in a disorganized fashion. This causes the atria to quiver (fibrillate). The disorganized signals are then transmitted to the ventricles. It causes them to contract irregularly and sometimes quickly.

Should you drink alcohol if you have atrial fibrillation?

Health experts agree that heavy drinking and atrial fibrillation (Afib) don’t mix. That’s because alcohol can trigger symptoms of the condition, such as heart palpitations.

Can a person with atrial fibrillation live a long life?

The good news is that although AF is a long-term condition, if managed correctly, you can continue to lead a long and active life. There are a number of steps you can take that will help you manage your condition, lower your risk of stroke and relieve any worries you may have.

What can you do to treat atrial fibrillation?

The treatment goals for atrial fibrillation are to reset the heart rhythm or control the rate, prevent blood clots, and decrease the risk of strokes. The rate control approach is the default, using anticoagulants (“blood thinners”) and medications to control your heart rate.

What is the drug of choice for atrial fibrillation?

Digitalis Digitalis has been for years for atrial fibrillation, and it remains very effective. It is also useful for strengthening the contraction of weak hearts, and is the drug of choice for patients with atrial fibrillation and heart failure. It is a convenient medication, usually requiring only once-a-day dosing.

What are the most common causes of atrial fibrillation?

Abnormalities, defects or damage to the heart is the most common cause of atrial fibrillation. Other possible causes of A-fib include: heart attacks, an overactive thyroid gland, a metabolic imbalance, high blood pressure, lung disease, sick sinus node syndrome, viral infections, sleep apnea or sickness like pneumonia.

What is atrial fibrillation and is it serious?

Atrial fibrillation (AFib), an abnormality of the rhythm of the heart, is a serious medical condition that needs to be managed because it significantly raises your risk for a stroke or heart attack.