4 crucial factors that affect the development and treatment of atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is an issue that affects the regular levels of the heartbeat. The condition is led by the quivering of heartbeats that put one at the risk of suffering from heart-related complications. Normally, the heart contracts and relaxes to beat with regularity. However, with atrial fibrillation, the heart beats of the upper chambers of the organ are not synced with the lower chambers and this causes infective movement of blood into the ventricles.

While the condition does not have life-threatening implications, it does affect and double the rate of heart-related deaths.

While atrial fibrillation does exhibit symptoms in the form of palpitations, weakness, pain in the chest and fatigue, they may not be experienced by everybody. Most individuals remain unaware that they suffer from the condition until they undergo a routine medical checkup. It is important for atrial fibrillation to be diagnosed early in time and treated effectively, as this will prevent the occurrence of fatal heart conditions. Here are some pivotal factors to understand about the development and treatment of atrial fibrillation:

What are the common factors that cause atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is commonly a result of damage or an abnormality in the structure of the heart. Some of the causes that are found to promote the development of atrial fibrillation are:

• Heart surgery
• Abnormal heart valves
• Heart defects at birth
• Abnormal working of the thyroid gland
• Diseases of the lung
• Viral infections
• Excessive exposure and consumption of medications
• Excessive consumption of alcohol, caffeinated products and tobacco

In some cases, the cause of atrial fibrillation may be unclear, and this can lead to serious complications during the treatment of the condition.

How is atrial fibrillation treated?

Atrial fibrillation is treated with a combination of methods that aim to subside the symptoms and bring a control in the rhythm of the heartbeat. The treatment methods employed include:

• Cardioversion : Cardioversion may be used for resetting irregular heartbeats. This method involves the use of electric shock to aid in restoring a normal rhythm of the heartbeat.
• Catheter ablation: This is a procedure that works by destroying the affected or diseased area of the heart. When the abnormality or source is found, it is destroyed with the use of high-frequency radio waves. The treatment type is used when any medication does not seem to bring about the desired results.
• Pacemaker : A pacemaker is a device that used to present the slow heartbeat. It is implanted in the chest to restore the level of regular heart.
• Blood thinners: Blood thinners are used to lower the risk of heart conditions. One may be prescribed medications such as Heparin, Dabigatran, Warfarin, Aspirin and more. However, blood thinners can promote excess bleeding and one may have to cut down on activities that can lead to injuries.

What are the dietary changes that need to be made during atrial fibrillation treatment?

Making dietary changes can bring about a huge difference for patients with atrial fibrillation. Some of the simple tips to follow include:

• Reducing salt intake : Salt can contribute to high blood pressure levels. It leads to further complications of atrial fibrillation and can cause added symptoms.
• Increase fish intake : The unsaturated fats found in the fish can reduce the risk of suffering from heart conditions and aid during atrial fibrillation treatment.
• Eat whole grains : Whole grains contain nutrients and fibers that are good for heart health. Incorporate these grains in different meals of the day.
• Limit consumption of dairy : Dairy products like milk, butter and cheese contain saturated fats. These fats can aggravate heart conditions and increase the risk of a heart attack.

What are the preventive measures for atrial fibrillation?

The key to preventing atrial fibrillation is by practicing healthy lifestyle habits that include:

• Avoiding smoking
• Keeping a track and maintaining a healthy body weight
• Reducing excessive stress and undertaking anger management
• Being a part of daily physical activity classes
• Avoiding the use of over-the-counter medications
• Importantly, consuming a healthy diet and avoiding junk meals

The best way to keep away from atrial fibrillation and other heart conditions is by making sure that timely visits are made to the doctor’s clinic. Also, managing risk factors with effective lifestyle changes will reduce the risk of heart-related diseases.

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