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How is Atrial Fibrillation Diagnosed?
After a thorough interview and physical examination, your doctor will order some simple investigations. An electrocardiogram is a test that checks for problems with the electrical activity of the heart, and can be used to diagnose atrial fibrillation.
Your doctor may also order other test, including some blood tests, a chest X-ray or an echocardiogram. These may be required to find out if there is an underlying problem which may have caused the atrial fibrillation, as well as to assess the function of the heart.
Management of Atrial Fibrillation:
The management of atrial fibrillation seeks to achieve 3 main goals:
1. Slow down the heart rate
2. Restore and maintain the normal rhythm of the heart, and
3. Preventing stroke
1. Rate Control:
If you have severe symptoms as a result of your atrial fibrillation, such as shortness of breath or chest pains, together with a decreased blood pressure, your doctor will generally need to give you medication intravenously.
If, however, you have only mild symptoms, medication may be administered orally to control your heart rate. The beta-blockers are commonly used to slow down the heart rate.
2. Restore and Maintain Normal Heart Rhythm:
Anti-arrhythmic medication, such as amiodarone, are prescribed to achieve this. The alternative to drug therapy is radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation, however, current medical guidelines still recommend ablation for AF as second-line therapy, meant for patients who have failed drug treatment.
3. Preventing Stroke:
Most people with atrial fibrillation take the blood-thinning agent called Warfarin, which has been proven to be superior to other forms of medication for stroke prevention. However, as taking warfarin is not without problems and inconveniences, the search for an alternative to warfarin for stroke prevention in AF, has been ongoing for some time.
Currently, alternative drugs used include aspirin and clopidogrel.
For most people with atrial fibrillation, relatively simple treatment measures will dramatically reduce the risk of strokes. Hence, it is essential that you seek medical treatment early if you suspect you may have the condition.
Find a Cardiologist
The article above is meant to provide general information and does not replace a doctor's consultation.
Please see your doctor for professional advice.
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