Treating Atrial Fibrillation: An Overview
Atrial fibrillation treatment recommendations will vary based on several factors. Your treatment options depend partly on your
symptoms of atrial fibrillation, how severe they are, and how much they interfere with your life. They also depend on whether or not some other underlying disease is causing the condition.
The goals of treatment for atrial fibrillation usually include one or more of the following:
- Return the heartbeat to a normal sinus rhythm, if possible
- Control the heart rate
- Prevent blood clots from forming by prescribing an anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medication, such as Coumadin®
- Treat the underlying causes of the abnormal rhythm and any atrial fibrillation complications
- Reduce the risk factors that may lead to a worsening of the condition.
Atrial Fibrillation Treatment for Occasional Symptoms
For people who have occasional episodes of atrial fibrillation (and no other health concerns associated with it), the only treatment needed may be to avoid the things that can cause the condition or make it worse, such as:
- Stress
- Tobacco products
- Caffeine
- Alcohol.
Atrial Fibrillation Treatment for More Serious Cases
For more serious cases, several treatments for atrial fibrillation are available, including:
- Medication
- Electrical cardioversion, in which the rhythm of the heart is reset with an electrical shock
- Changes to diet and lifestyle
- Surgical procedures.
