Treatment with medication (pharmacological cardioversion) or controlled electric shocks (electrical cardioversion) can often restore a normal heart rhythm. Afterwards, medication is typically used in order to try to prevent the heart rhythm from becoming irregular again.
Methods to help stop an atrial fibrillation episode include taking slow, deep breaths or coughing. Treating the underlying cause, managing stress, and exercising can also help prevent episodes. Atrial fibrillation (A-fib) is a type of irregular heartbeat.
Restore a normal heart rhythm.
One way normal rhythm can be restored is with a procedure called electrical cardioversion. Anti-arrhythmic medications can also be used. If these options are ineffective, catheter ablation can be performed.
Atrial fibrillation is most often caused by changes to the heart's tissue or the electrical signaling that helps the heartbeat.
The new system -- called pulsed field ablation -- uses electricity instead of extreme heat or cold to disarm critical heart muscle cells.
Build Up Gradually
When you have AFib, jumping into exercise too quickly -- with high intensity or long workouts -- could cause symptoms. Instead, start slowly with 5 to 10 minutes a day of walking. Add a minute or two every week or so. Your ultimate goal is a total of 30 minutes of activity a day, 5 days a week.
If you still do not feel better, call your family doctor who may want to adjust your medicines. If you still feel the same way 24 hours later, and you have not seen or spoken to a health care provider, it is reasonable to go to the hospital. Just remember, AFib is not usually an emergency.
The longer persistent Afib goes without treatment, however, the harder it is to manage. It may become permanent or lead to severe complications such as blood clots or stroke.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) lists the benefits of magnesium as keeping heart rhythm steady (like antiarrhythmic A-Fib meds), maintaining normal muscle and nerve function, supporting a healthy immune system, and keeping bones strong. It's also needed for healthy blood pressure and blood sugar management.
A-fib may not be a life threatening condition by itself, but without treatment, it can affect a person's life expectancy due to the increased risk of complications such as stroke and heart failure. A person may make lifestyle changes and take medications to manage the condition and prevent further complications.
When atrial fibrillation occurs, the upper heart chambers beat in an unorganized rhythm. An A-fib heart rate is usually rapid, resulting in 100-200 beats per minute rather than the normal range of 60-100 beats per minute.
There are types of AFib, some can come and go on their own while others require treatment with medications or procedures. You may be able to take some steps to help ease symptoms when they start, such as a combination of prescribed medication and deep breathing.
By following a heart-healthy lifestyle, you can limit experiences that trigger AFib or atrial flutter, as well as reduce your risk of heart disease. Browse our specialists and get the care you need.
Overall Survival
The mean interval from initial diagnosis of atrial fibrillation to death was 25.2±9.5 years (range, 2.5 to 42.2 years). No sudden cardiac deaths occurred; 12 deaths were related to cardiovascular disease and 15 to noncardiovascular causes.
Treatment for atrial fibrillation
Cardioversion. This procedure uses large electrodes pads placed on the chest to send an electrical current to the heart muscle to restore its normal rhythm. Catheter ablation, also known as cardiac ablation.
paroxysmal atrial fibrillation – episodes come and go, and usually stop within 48 hours without any treatment. persistent atrial fibrillation – each episode lasts for longer than 7 days (or less when it's treated) permanent atrial fibrillation – when it's present all the time.
The '48-hour rule' was adopted into widespread clinical practice based on theoretical, rather than evidence-based, grounds. This practice was scrutinised by Weigner et al in 1997. It was known that cardioversion of patients with AF of >48 hours duration had a 5–7% risk of stroke without preceding anticoagulation.
Remember that no matter what activity you're doing, if you experience any symptoms related to atrial fibrillation — like lightheadedness or chest pain or pressure — you should stop and rest for a while, says Hussein. And if you have more serious symptoms like intense chest pain, visit a hospital emergency room.
It is a gentle way to move your body and get the blood flowing. Walking is especially helpful for AFib patients as it is an easy, low-impact form of exercise.
The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) announced the findings of three new studies demonstrating the safety and efficacy of pulsed field ablation (PFA), a non-thermal ablation treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The studies were presented as late-breaking clinical science during Heart Rhythm 2023.
Long-standing persistent Afib lasts more than a year and is sometimes difficult to treat.