The onset of atrial fibrillation may be insidious

Atrial fibrillation is a type of cardiac arrhythmia with a high incidence and disability rate, but without an exact unique cause, and is commonly multifactorial. The patient presents with a completely irregular heartbeat rhythm and may have a very fast heart rate. Sometimes it is very similar to supraventricular tachycardia, where the patient suddenly feels a rapid heartbeat, sweating, chest tightness, and dizziness, and it may cause a decrease in cardiac function and the formation of a blood clot in the heart, which may lead to embolism elsewhere.

How can atrial fibrillation be prevented? Prevention of atrial fibrillation can be carried out by preventing the underlying diseases that may cause atrial fibrillation, such as good control of blood pressure, obese patients can control their weight, and patients with coronary artery disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease receive regular treatment and adhere to their medications as a way to reduce the incidence of atrial fibrillation. Since the onset of atrial fibrillation may be insidious, some patients do not feel anything and the first symptom is a stroke. Therefore, it is important to conduct physical health management examinations as early as possible, and patients older than 65 years of age need to undergo regular electrocardiogram examinations. The most feared cause of atrial fibrillation is stroke, which can be disabling and fatal. It is important to note that strokes caused by atrial fibrillation can be prevented. When atrial fibrillation is diagnosed, the first step is to prevent the formation of blood clots, which can be prevented by medication or other methods.

What should I do after a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation? Atrial fibrillation can be reduced or stopped, either with medications or interventional procedures. Because atrial fibrillation is a multifactorial disease, it cannot be cured with medications, only controlled. Medications can restore a normal heartbeat, but long-term use requires monitoring for side effects and may also create tolerance. Catheter ablation or cryoablation can improve the clinical symptoms of atrial fibrillation and achieve the goal of reducing or stopping atrial fibrillation episodes. Catheter ablation is more effective than drugs for maintaining a normal heartbeat. Catheter ablation is recommended for patients who meet the conditions for the procedure for early detection and early treatment, thus ensuring a good prognosis.

There is no need to panic about an episode of atrial fibrillation at home. Only atrial fibrillation combined with pre-excitation syndrome can be life-threatening. Episodes may manifest as heartbeat, chest tightness, weakness, sweating, and dizziness, and it is recommended that the nearest hospital be selected for treatment. If atrial fibrillation has been clearly defined in the past and no other cardiac comorbidities appear, you can take a little heart-rate slowing medication, such as beta-blocker drugs (betaxolol, bisoprolol), under the guidance of your doctor. Patients with chronic atrial fibrillation can be evaluated for cardiac exercise based on heart rate control, exercising in a measured and gradual manner and not doing extreme amounts of exercise.