Atrial fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm). It can occur for many reasons, such as smoking, heart disease, diabetes or congenital heart defects.
The heart’s upper chambers (the atria) beat chaotically and irregularly out of sync with the lower chambers of the heart (the ventricles). Afib isn’t life-threatening, but it can increase your risk of stroke by four to five times. Afib is also a risk factor for developing a heart attack and heart failure.
There are several different types of atrial fibrillation. Some, called paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, come and go and don’t require treatment. Others, called persistent atrial fibrillation, are more prolonged and can be hard to control. Persistent atrial fibrillation is often treated with cardioversion, which is when an electric shock is delivered to the heart through paddles or patches (electrodes) placed on the chest.
Afib is usually diagnosed by a doctor using an ECG and other tests. A doctor will look for an abnormally fast heartbeat and an irregular rhythm on the ECG. They may use other tests to check for blood clots or to see if you’re having a stroke.
During normal heartbeats, the atria contract to force blood out of the lungs and into the body. They then relax to let the heart fill with blood again.
In atrial fibrillation, the atria often don’t contract properly and can’t get the blood out of the lungs as effectively as they should. They can also cause blood clots to form in the heart and to break off and travel to other parts of the body, leading to stroke.
Other causes of atrial fibrillation are congenital heart defects, high blood pressure and certain medications. If you have these conditions, or another condition that can lead to atrial fibrillation, your doctor may recommend surgery to correct the problem or medication to treat the disorder.
You should take these medicines as directed by your doctor. Some people who have slow atrial fibrillation need a higher dose of the medicine or take more than one type.
Anticoagulants are used to prevent blood clots in the atria and reduce the risk of stroke. They can also help treat other heart problems.
Beta blockers are commonly prescribed to help lower your resting heart rate and reduce symptoms like palpitations and shortness of breath. They’re sometimes given in combination with other medicines, such as diuretics, acetaminophen and caffeine.
If you have atrial fibrillation, you need to talk to your doctor about any changes in your lifestyle that might be contributing to the problem. Binge-drinking alcohol, smoking or consuming caffeine, stress and lack of sleep are common triggers for AFib episodes.
Your doctor can recommend lifestyle and medical changes to help you manage your AFib and keep it under control. These changes might include cutting down on caffeine, not smoking, eating a healthy diet, getting plenty of exercise and getting more sleep at night.
Other medical treatments for atrial fibrillation can be done in the hospital. If your doctor needs to administer a drug to reset your heart rhythm, you’ll need to be in the hospital for a few days after the procedure. You may need to have warfarin (Jantoven) or a similar blood thinner before the procedure, which can reduce your risk of blood clots and stroke.
