What is the first treatment for atrial fibrillation?
Initial treatment is directed at controlling the ventricular rate, most often with a calcium channel blocker, a beta blocker, or digoxin. Medical or electrical cardioversion to restore sinus rhythm is the next step in patients who remain in atrial fibrillation.
How do you stop atrial fibrillation symptoms?
Monitoring your exercise, stress, caffeine intake, and alcohol use can help prevent AFib episodes. Losing weight can also help improve symptoms of AFib. There are two main options when it comes to controlling symptoms: Bringing your heart rhythm back to normal and controlling the heart rate.
How is atrial fibrillation treated?
Treatment for atrial fibrillation may include medications, therapy to reset the heart rhythm and catheter procedures to block faulty heart signals. A person with atrial fibrillation may also have a related heart rhythm problem called atrial flutter.
Should I go to the hospital for atrial fibrillation?
AFib episodes rarely cause serious problems, but they’ll need to get checked out. If they’re uncomfortable or their heart is beating rapidly, call 911 or go to an emergency room. Doctors may use medications or a device called a cardioverter to help their heart go back to a normal rhythm.
Can atrial fibrillation go away?
Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is one of the types that starts suddenly and goes away own on its own. However, patients should still be monitored and treated. Usually, atrial fibrillation is permanent, and medicines or other nonsurgical treatments can’t restore a completely normal heart rhythm.
What happens if you stay in AFib too long?
Untreated persistent AFib can lead to permanent AFib. Having any form of AFib, including persistent AFib, increases your risk for stroke, heart attack, and death. The best way to prevent complications from AFib is to carefully manage and treat it.