AFib: Symptoms and treatment
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a condition where the heart rate is much faster and irregular than the normal rate. Due to this condition, one may observe counter effects like breathlessness, excess fatigue, and heart palpitations. If you do not undergo timely treatment, AFib may lead formation of blood clots, resulting in a stroke and the problems can get severe.
When the upper chambers of the heart fibrillate, then blood is not pumped in the body in the desirable way, which can automatically give you the feeling of fatigue and sensations that will be uncomfortable and heartbeats that will be irregular.
How to tackle AFib?
Considering relevant treatment, AFib patients must visit a cardiologist who will evaluate the entire condition, check all the symptoms, go through overall health factors, and diagnose the exact reasons behind AFib. Sometimes there can be an underlying cause that may have resulted into AFib. So determining the correct reason behind the occurrence of AFib is important before proceeding for its treatment. If the problem is not that serious, then the doctor can keep the patient on certain medications so that the risk of stroke can be avoided. Some specialized medicines may also be given that are specifically aimed for controlling AFib.
If the condition is a bit serious then electric shock treatment, also called cardioversion, can be adopted. However, in some cases, catheter ablation is opted for by the doctors. In some cases, a pacemaker may be required to fit in so that this condition can be treated.
AFib can be occasional, persistent, or permanent and once the doctor is able to evaluate your condition, only then can the right treatment be provided.
Symptoms indicating an AFib condition
If you are experiencing heart palpitations or you feel that the heart beat is often very irregular, or if you feel that your heart is racing most of the times, get checked for AFib. If you are facing unexplained fatigue at all times or a discomfort or pain near the chest region, then also it can be because of this condition. Apart from all of these symptoms, shortness of breath is a major symptom of AFib.
However, in many cases, it is seen that even without these symptoms, people have the AFib. So without a doctor and without completing the relevant medical tests, you cannot be sure whether you are actually suffering from AFib or not. If you are in doubt, visit a cardiologist as soon as possible.
