Treatment for A-fib

Written By: Sharon Cretsinger

The condition of atrial fibrillation is often referenced in shorthand as A-fib or AF.  Atrial Fibrillation occurs when the electrical impulses that control the contractions of various parts of the heart muscle are inconsistent, causing excess blood to become trapped in the upper two chambers of the heart (atria).  It is usually diagnosed with a physical examination and an EKG or ECG.  One of the biggest risks associated with AF is having a stroke.

Atrial Fibrillation Treatment Washington DC

Patients vary quite a bit in the treatment needs for AF.  Here are a few options for A-Fib Treatment DC (though not an exhaustive list):

• The first thing to do when addressing a patient with AF is to determine if there is another medical condition that is causing it.  Hyperthyroidism is one example of a condition that is sometimes linked to AF.  Obviously, any other medical conditions that are possibly related to the AF should be treated first to see if the condition resolves.
• Some cases of AF can be treated with lifestyle changes.  Changes in diet and exercise habits, reducing caffeine intake and stopping smoking are all steps that patients can take toward controlling AF.
• Some patients with AF will also want to take precautions to prevent a stroke.  This may include some of the lifestyle changes mentioned above, as well as a type of blood thinning medications such as Warfarin, or even plain aspirin.  Each patient's individual treatment provider will make this determination based on certain stroke risk factors which include the presence of congestive heart failure, a history of hypertension, age, a diagnosis of diabetes and a prior history of stroke.

Patients can take an active role in managing their AF by working together with treatment providers.  This means keeping or rescheduling all office appointments so that there is consistent communication, and speaking up if there seems to be a problem with the treatment plan.  Patients should ask providers to explain any medical words they don't understand and should not be afraid to ask the provider to repeat information a second or third time.  Taking notes at appointments is also a good strategy.  

Learn more about A-fib Treatment Washington DC and effective participation in treatment at http://www.medstarwashington.org/.