Everything You Need To Know About Atrial Fibrillation Treatment
Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm characterized by rapid and irregular beating of the atrial chambers of the heart. This condition mostly begins as brief periods of abnormal beating, which become longer or continuous over time. On this page, we will look at atrial fibrillation in detail, such as what is atrial fibrillation, what are the causes and symptoms of atrial fibrillation, how to diagnose atrial fibrillation, what are the treatments for atrial fibrillation, who are the best doctors for atrial fibrillation treatment in India, and which are the top hospitals for atrial fibrillation treatment in India.
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What is atrial fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation (Afib) is a heart condition characterized by an irregular and often fast heart rate. In atrial fibrillation, atria, the heart's upper chambers, beat irregularly. The upper chambers beat out of sync with ventricles, the lower heart chambers. For many individuals, atrial fibrillation might produce no symptoms. Episodes of atrial fibrillation might go and come, or they can be persistent. The condition itself generally is not life-threatening. However, it is a serious medical condition which needs better treatment to prevent stroke.
Types of atrial fibrillation
Paroxysmal Afib: This kind of atrial fibrillation happens intermittently and will stop on its own in seven days.
Persistent Afib: In this type of atrial fibrillation, irregular heart beat lasts longer than 7 days. Unlike paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, it might need cardioversion (electric shock to the heart) in order to restore normal rhythm.
Long-standing persistent Afib: This type of atrial fibrillation is similar to persistent Afib. However, it lasts more than a year.
Causes and Symptoms
Causes
- Heart problems
- Heart valve disease
- Sleep disorder
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack, lung diseases
- Narrowed/blocked arteries
- Infections from viruses
- Alcohol, obesity
Symptoms
- Chest pain
- Pounding heartbeat
- Lightheadedness
- Fatigue, dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Reduced ability to exercise
- Weakness
- Fainting
Diagnosis
Blood tests: Blood tests help to find health conditions or any substances that might affect the heart or heartbeat.
Electrocardiogram: This test helps measure the electrical activity of heart. Sticky patches known as electrodes are put on the chest and sometimes on the legs and arms. Wires link the electrodes to a computer that displays the test results. An ECG will show heart rhythm and how fast and slow the heart is beating. This is the main test for detecting atrial fibrillation.
Holter monitor: This is a small portable ECG device that records the heart's activity. The device is wo for a day or two while doing your regular activities.
Event recorder: This device works like a Holter monitor those records only at certain times and for a few minutes at a time. The device is wo for around 30 days. Certain devices automatically record once an irregular heart rhythm is detected.
Implantable loop recorder: This device will record the heartbeat continuously for around three years. The device is also called a cardiac event recorder, which shows how the heart beats while you do your daily activities. This device would be used to know how often you have an episode of an atrial fibrillation. In some cases, implantable loop recorder is used to find rare episodes of atrial fibrillation in people at high risk of heart problem.
Echocardiogram: In this test, sound waves are used for producing images of beating heart. This test will display how blood flows through your heart and heart valves.
Exercise stress tests: These tests will involve pedaling a stationary bike or walking on a treadmill while your heart is monitored. These tests will show how the heart responds to exercise. Sometimes echocardiogram is performed during a stress test.
Chest X-ray: A chest X-ray will show the condition of the heart and lungs.
Risk & Complications
Possible atrial fibrillation surgery risks include bleeding and infection at the operated area, heart valve damage, blood vessel damage, worsening irregular heartbeats, blood clots in the legs and lungs,
stroke or heart attack. Slow heart rate could need a pacemaker to fix. Surgery may also cause narrowing of the veins which carry blood between the heart and lungs. This condition is called pulmonary vein stenosis. There can also be damage to the kidneys from dye used to view the arteries during the treatment.
Preparation of Treatment
Avoid triggers like too much caffeine, a lot of stress, excessive alcohol, and not enough sleep. You need to keep your heart healthy. Always take medications prescribed by your doctor. Follow a diet low in solid fat and salt, and high in veggies, fruits, and whole grains. Follow an active lifestyle. Avoid smoking. Go ahead and do workout, travel, and play sports. However, you have to be more careful with some activities. Avoid excess consumption of alcohol and caffeine. Quit smoking and control cholesterol. You need to maintain a healthy weight.
You may need to get several tests done to check your heart health. Your doctor will tell you how to prepare for atrial fibrillation surgery. You generally need to stop drinking and eating the night before the treatment. Tell your doctor regarding all your medications that you are having. The doctor will tell you if you need to take them before the treatment. Leave all your jewellery at home before going to the hospital for the procedure. You should arrange for someone who can drive you home after the surgery. Wear comfortable cloth when you go to the hospital for the procedure. Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol as it might interfere with the procedure.
Treatment Option
Medications: Medications to treat atrial fibrillation may include digoxin, verapamil metoprolol and diltiazem. Medicines to help the heart beat in a normal sinus rhythm include procainamide, flecainide acetate, propafenone, disopyramide, sotalol, dofetilide and amiodarone. Blood thinners to reduce the risk of blood clots as well as stroke include warfarin and aspirin. Any medications might cause side effects. Rhythm control and rate control medications might make your arrhythmia worse or affect the lungs, liver and other organs. Blood thinners may cause bleeding, heart attack or indigestion. It is vital to discuss all risks as well as side effects with your doctor.
Procedures: If medications fail to help your atrial fibrillation, you might need a procedure or surgery as given below.
Electrical cardioversion: It electrically resets the heart rhythm with the help of low-energy shocks. However, it might only be a temporary solution.
Pulmonary vein ablation: This procedure uses catheters to provide energy to outside and around the pulmonary veins. This technique will help you respond better to your atrial fibrillation medications. You might not even require medications long-term.
Permanent pacemaker: A pacemaker could be used in case you have a slow heart rate. Usually, this is only used if the patient has another arrhythmia besides Afib. Left atrial appendage closure is a procedure which reduces the risk of blood clots and stroke.
Cost of the treatment
Cost of atrial fibrillation treatment
The cost of atrial fibrillation treatment in India starts from $4500. Atrial fibrillation treatment cost in India depends on various factors like age of the patient, hospital’s location, surgery techniques used, and experience and qualification of the surgeon. Low cost of atrial fibrillation and quality treatment in India is a key reason why a large number of international patients visit the country for the treatment.
Recovery
Recovery after atrial fibrillation treatment
Recovery from atrial fibrillation treatment generally takes around one week. Discomfort and soreness in the operated area is normal. You could resume normal activities in 10-14 days. However, you must refrain from lifting heavy objects or doing strenuous workouts for about 1-2 weeks. Follow your doctor’s advice regarding your activities, medications, and follow-up visits. If you feel unusual swelling or pain, excessive bleeding at the surgery site, or constant heart irregularities, contact the doctor immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions About Atrial Fibrillation
The medical community refrains from calling AFib a “curable” condition. However, this can be treated successfully and managed in many situations. In some cases, if the underlying causes of atrial fibrillation episodes are treated, then the condition might never return.
Lone AFib may be hard to treat. In some cases, the doctor would begin with minimally-invasive techniques like medication and slowly move to more invasive methods until rhythm irregularity is slowly controlled.
Atrial fibrillation often runs in families. In case a family member is affected with AFib, they have a higher chance of developing the condition too.
The different factors which can raise the risk of atrial fibrillation include thyroid disease, heart disease, drinking alcohol, family history, obesity, other chronic health problems and age. The older a person, the more the risk of developing this condition.
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