A-fib Treatment Options

Written By: Rachael Kaine

The Importance of Treating A-fib

Health conditions that can impact the body’s health are not to be overlooked or ignored. The things that can cause health to decline over time range in nature from routine to serious and chronic; no two individuals are the same. For this reason among others, treatment processes are going to be very different for everyone seeking medical attention, especially for a condition like a-fib. Atrial fibrillation treatment DC is meant to help patients that suffer from an irregular heartbeat get their health back on track, improving heart health and allowing them to live their lives as normal - at least whenever possible. Without treatment, this condition can impact people’s lives, causing serious outcomes like heart attacks, strokes, blood clots and a weakening of the heart’s muscles over time... and no one wants that to happen.

Options for A-fib Treatment

Medicines are the first line of defense for patients that have been diagnosed with this condition, especially if it is a mild case of atrial fibrillation. In order to find a reputable health care facility that cam meet the needs of patients, some research needs to be done. Visiting websites like http://www.medstarwashington.org/ will allow you to find out what different hospitals offer, where they are located, the specialists that work there, and what to expect from treatment.

These medicines begin with beta blockers, which help to correct the rhythm of the heart, returning it to normal and keeping it there. Another type of A-fib treatment Washington DC is the use of calcium channel blockers or digitalis in order to slow the heart rate down, reducing the feeling of a racing heart. To keep blood clots from forming, your doctor may prescribe blood thinners of various strengths. The type of medicine that you’ll need to take will depend on the severity of your condition and your overall diagnosis.

If medicine won’t do it alone, a mild electric shock via electrical cardioversion can help to change your heart’s beating back to a “normal” rhythm. This isn’t a first resort, and your doctor will be able to direct you to the right treatment method, only prescribing what is absolutely necessary to improve your heart’s condition.

As a final resort, surgery may be necessary to correct your atrial fibrillation. This surgery can be used to insert a pacemaker that will automatically “knock” your heart back into a normal rhythm when an episode begins, or to change the flow of electrical impulses across the surface of the muscle using a “maze” procedure that causes scarring and the eventual reversal of a-fib in most cases.