Getting Back To Normal With Atrial Fibrillation

Every once in a while, a person can experience an abnormal heartbeat. For example, intense exercise or even anxiety will cause heartbeats to accelerate. However, for some individuals, an irregular heartbeat, known formally as atrial fibrillation, isn’t because of specific activities or a rare occurrence. For these people, symptoms can range from mild to dangerous and may require a prescription or medical interventions to restore a more natural heart rhythm.

What is atrial fibrillation?

Simply put, atrial fibrillation (Afib) is a type of arrhythmia and is incredibly common. While the condition can occur at any age, Afib is more likely in older populations. The anomaly is caused by inconsistent muscle contractions in the upper chambers of the heart. Instead of a consistent beating, the heart walls quiver. As a result, people experiencing arrhythmia, including Afib, may experience heart palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, or even chest discomfort. In severe cases, the condition can lead to strokes or even heart failure because of sustained damage to the heart’s walls.

Treating Afib

Not all cases of AFib or other arrhythmias require checking into a hospital for inpatient or outpatient procedures. Some people can live with mild arrhythmia and may only require stroke prevention methodologies as a solution. In particular, individuals who don’t experience any of the symptoms mentioned earlier are not likely candidates for any type of medical intervention, including prescription drugs. However, if a person is experiencing common arrhythmia symptoms, seeking professional help is critical. The following treatments can get that heartbeat back on track.

Medication

For less severe cases, people may be prescribed medications. Typically, this recommendation is reserved for cases where arrhythmia is sporadic. Medication is the least invasive option and makes the most sense for an individual who only occasionally suffers from the condition.

Cardioversion

Cardioversion is usually performed as an outpatient procedure and can help regulate the heartbeat. The procedure is noninvasive or minimally invasive and can be performed in one of two ways. Electrical cardioversion requires using a defibrillator to essentially deliver a shock to the heart that resets the rhythm. Usually, the procedure is performed as an outpatient treatment. However, in more severe cases, an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) may be inserted to deliver low-voltage shocks and keep the heart working properly. Alternatively, cardioversion can also be performed by delivering medicine intravenously.

Ablation

If cardioversion isn’t successful, ablation may also be considered. Essentially, the procedure works to control and prevent the damaged heart tissue from causing the arrhythmia. This minimally invasive procedure relies on temperature or even radio energy to create strategic scars on the misfiring tissue to prevent the continued transmission of electrical signals.

Getting Back to Normal

Arrhythmia is no laughing matter, and individuals experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention. However, the severity of symptoms will dictate whether a person can rely solely on prescription medications or if a more serious treatment option is better. Don’t live with an irregular heartbeat, consult with a cardiologist and discuss the best treatment plan.