5 Effective Treatments for Atrial Fibrillation

As many as 6 million Americans suffer from atrial fibrillation (AFib), and nearly a half million people are hospitalized each year as a result of the condition. The most common type of arrhythmia, AFib is also the leading heart-related cause of stroke.

AFib happens when the upper chambers of your heart beat rapidly and irregularly, interfering with your heart’s normal rhythm. This irregularity reduces blood flow to the rest of your body and increases the risk of blood clots and strokes. 

AFib can also cause dizziness, fainting, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

As a leading interventional cardiology practice in Zephyrhills, Lakeland, Plant City, and Riverview, Florida, Florida Heart, Vein, and Vascular Institute offers advanced treatment options for patients with AFib. 

In this post, our team reviews five treatment options that could help you.

Medication

Medication is often the first course of therapy for people with AFib. We offer several types of medication that we may recommend you may be taken singly or in combination, depending on your needs. 

Antiarrhythmic medicines help control and manage your heart’s rhythm, reducing your risks of clots and inadequate blood flow. We may prescribe blood pressure drugs, like beta blockers and calcium channel blockers, to manage your heart rate, too. 

Many people with AFib also take anticoagulant medicines to reduce their risk of blood clots and strokes.

Cardioversion

Cardioversion is an advanced interventional treatment that delivers measured bursts of electricity to your heart muscle while you’re sedated. We deliver these bursts via paddles that we place on your chest or your back. 

The electricity helps restore a normal heart rhythm when medicines aren’t sufficient. Most people need just one treatment. We can also perform cardioversion using IV medications. 

Ablation

Cardiac ablation uses radiofrequency energy to create controlled injuries in your heart tissue, effectively blocking the abnormal nerve signals that are causing your arrhythmia. The energy is delivered through a long, flexible, thin tube called a catheter.

We thread the catheter through an artery in your groin or arm, then gently advance it to your heart. Once the catheter is in position, we send tiny amounts of energy in a very precise way to specific locations in your heart.

Device implantation

If your AFib is associated with a slower-than-normal heart rate (bradycardia), we can implant a pacemaker to regulate your heart’s activity. The pacemaker is a very small device surgically implanted under your skin. It sends electrical impulses to help regulate your heartbeat.

We also offer the innovative WatchmanTM, a tiny device that we place inside your heart via a minimally invasive procedure. The device helps prevent clots from forming, reducing your risk of stroke.

Lifestyle changes

Medical treatment is essential for anyone with AFib, but lifestyle changes also play a central role. If you have AFib, we may recommend:

• Adopting a heart-healthy diet
• Getting regular exercise to strengthen your cardiovascular system
• Managing your weight to reduce strain on your heart
• Managing underlying conditions, like hypertension or diabetes
• Limiting alcohol
• Limiting or avoiding caffeine and other stimulants
• Learning stress management
• Quitting smoking

Our team recommends lifestyle changes in addition to the medical treatments we offer. 

If you’ve been diagnosed with AFib or if you have symptoms of AFib, don’t put off seeking care. To learn how we can help, request an appointment online or by telephone with our team at Florida Heart, Vein, and Vascular Institute today.