People with atrial fibrillation who have a high or moderate risk of having a stroke are usually prescribed warfarin , unless there's a reason they cannot take it.
There's an increased risk of bleeding in people who take warfarin, but this small risk is usually outweighed by the benefits of preventing a stroke. It's important to take warfarin as directed by your doctor. If you're prescribed warfarin, you need to have regular blood tests and, after these, your dose may be changed. Many medicines can interact with warfarin and cause serious problems, so check that any new medicines you're prescribed are safe to take with warfarin.
While taking warfarin, you should be careful about drinking too much alcohol regularly and avoid binge drinking. Drinking cranberry juice and grapefruit juice can also interact with warfarin and is not recommended. Rivaroxaban , dabigatran , apixaban and edoxaban are alternatives to warfarin. NICE also states that you should be offered a choice of anticoagulation and the opportunity to discuss the merits of each medicine.
Unlike warfarin, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, apixaban and edoxaban do not interact with other medicines and do not require regular blood tests. Cardioversion may be recommended for some people with atrial fibrillation. It involves giving the heart a controlled electric shock to try to restore a normal rhythm. Cardioversion is usually carried out in hospital so the heart can be carefully monitored. If you have had atrial fibrillation for more than 2 days, cardioversion can increase the risk of a clot forming.
In this case, you'll be given an anticoagulant for 3 to 4 weeks before cardioversion, and for at least 4 weeks afterwards to minimise the chance of having a stroke. In an emergency, pictures of the heart can be taken to check for blood clots, and cardioversion can be carried out without going on medicine first. But you may need to continue taking anticoagulation after cardioversion if the risk of atrial fibrillation returning is high and you have an increased risk of having a stroke.
Catheter ablation is a procedure that very carefully destroys the diseased area of your heart and interrupts abnormal electrical circuits. Catheters thin, soft wires are guided through one of your veins into your heart, where they record electrical activity. When the source of the abnormality is found, an energy source, such as high-frequency radio waves that generate heat, is transmitted through one of the catheters to destroy the tissue.
The procedure can be very quick or it may take up to 3 or 4 hours, and may be carried out under general anaesthetic , which means you're unconscious during the procedure. You should make a quick recovery after having catheter ablation and be able to carry out most of your normal activities the next day.
But you should not lift anything heavy for 2 weeks, and driving should be avoided for the first 2 days. A pacemaker is a small battery-operated device that's usually implanted in your chest, just below your collarbone. It's usually used to stop your heart beating too slowly, but in atrial fibrillation it may be used to help your heart beat regularly.
Learn more about this condition, including causes and symptoms…. According to a new study, people who work night shifts have a 12 percent higher risk of atrial fibrillation AFib , an irregular heart rate, compared…. New research from the U. Those who practice…. Avoiding or limiting certain foods can reduce the risk of an AFib episode.
Take care to sidestep these food items if you live with the condition. New guidelines are recommending newer drugs due to concerns over potential severe bleeding from warfarin use. Losing or maintaining weight can be challenging, especially with so many tasty food options available. Here are 11 foods that can contribute to weight….
Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Gerhard Whitworth, R. Treatment goals Drugs to prevent blood clots Drugs to restore normal heart rate Drugs to restore normal heart rhythm Electrical cardioversion Catheter ablation Pacemaker Maze procedure Lifestyle Share on Pinterest Photography by Aya Brackett.
The goals of treatment. Drugs for preventing blood clots. Drugs for restoring your normal heart rate. Drugs for restoring normal heart rhythm.
Electrical cardioversion. Catheter ablation. The Maze procedure. Lifestyle changes. Read this next. Natural and Alternative Treatments for AFib. Medically reviewed by Elaine K. Luo, M. Medically reviewed by Emelia Arquilla, DO. This procedure is called left atrial appendage closure. A closure device is gently guided through a catheter to the sac. Once the device is in place, the catheter is removed.
The device is left permanently in place. Surgery to close the left atrial appendage is an option for some people already having heart surgery. Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. Following a heart-healthy lifestyle can help prevent or treat conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease.
Lifestyle changes often include:. If you have an irregular or pounding heartbeat, make an appointment with your family doctor. If atrial fibrillation is found early, treatment may be easier and more effective. You may be referred to a doctor trained in heart conditions cardiologist.
Because appointments can be brief, and because there's often a lot to discuss, it's a good idea to be prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions will help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important, in case time runs out. For atrial fibrillation, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:. In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment.
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may save time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:. Atrial fibrillation care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis Some people are unaware that they have atrial fibrillation A-fib.
Care at Mayo Clinic Our caring team of Mayo Clinic experts can help you with your atrial fibrillation-related health concerns Start Here.
AV node ablation Open pop-up dialog box Close. AV node ablation In atrioventricular AV node ablation, doctors use radiofrequency energy to destroy the electrical connection between the upper and lower heart chambers AV node , blocking the heart's electrical impulses. More Information Atrial fibrillation care at Mayo Clinic Ablation therapy Atrial fibrillation ablation AV node ablation Cardiac ablation Maze procedure Minimally invasive heart surgery Pulmonary vein isolation Mayo Clinic Minute: Identifying and treating atrial fibrillation Show more related information.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. More Information Atrial fibrillation care at Mayo Clinic Planning to travel with atrial fibrillation? Should I make changes to my diet if I've been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation? Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Atrial fibrillation.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed July 6, Zipes DP, et al. Catheter ablation: Technical aspects. Elsevier;
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