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Suggest Ways To Manage Atrial Fibrillation
Question: Hi Dr.,
I have afib and I am taking Eleguis so I my chances of getting a blood clot won't be as bad. The thing
I don't understand is that my cardio doctor never gets excited about my afib. I did some light house work
yesterday and half way thru the day the afib set in and is very uncomfortable. Can I die just from the afib alone or does there have to be a blood clot.
I am really looking forward to your answer.
I listed all my meds for you. Where are they? This is too hard for me. It took an
hour for me to get this done.
I have afib and I am taking Eleguis so I my chances of getting a blood clot won't be as bad. The thing
I don't understand is that my cardio doctor never gets excited about my afib. I did some light house work
yesterday and half way thru the day the afib set in and is very uncomfortable. Can I die just from the afib alone or does there have to be a blood clot.
I am really looking forward to your answer.
I listed all my meds for you. Where are they? This is too hard for me. It took an
hour for me to get this done.
Brief Answer:
Management of Atrial Fibrillation
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thank you for asking HealthcareMagic,
Atrial fibrillation is treated by two approaches: either rate control or rhythm control.
Rate control alone is sufficient for management of AF. Not restoring a normal sinus rhythm may not cause mortality. Rate control along with anti coagulation is sufficient and preferred for effective management of AF in the elderly.
Adequate rate control at 60-80 beats/minute is attained with medication like beta-blocker or calcium channel blocker. Continue Eliquis for anticoagulation.
Regarding your question regarding mortality: Death from atrial fibrillation can be due to heart failure due to increased ventricular rate or thromboembolic events. So the combination of rate control along with anticoagulation will improve the prognosis in AF. Not having a normal sinus rhythm will not cause death in AF if you are on adequate anticoagulation. Make sure that heart rate is maintained at 60-80 beats/ minute while at rest.
If the symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation are too bothersome, then please follow up with your cardiologist to consider rhythm control. However, medications used for rhythm control has more side effects and toxicity.
Hope this answers your question.
Please feel free to address further questions here.
Regards,
Dr.Lekshmi
Management of Atrial Fibrillation
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Thank you for asking HealthcareMagic,
Atrial fibrillation is treated by two approaches: either rate control or rhythm control.
Rate control alone is sufficient for management of AF. Not restoring a normal sinus rhythm may not cause mortality. Rate control along with anti coagulation is sufficient and preferred for effective management of AF in the elderly.
Adequate rate control at 60-80 beats/minute is attained with medication like beta-blocker or calcium channel blocker. Continue Eliquis for anticoagulation.
Regarding your question regarding mortality: Death from atrial fibrillation can be due to heart failure due to increased ventricular rate or thromboembolic events. So the combination of rate control along with anticoagulation will improve the prognosis in AF. Not having a normal sinus rhythm will not cause death in AF if you are on adequate anticoagulation. Make sure that heart rate is maintained at 60-80 beats/ minute while at rest.
If the symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation are too bothersome, then please follow up with your cardiologist to consider rhythm control. However, medications used for rhythm control has more side effects and toxicity.
Hope this answers your question.
Please feel free to address further questions here.
Regards,
Dr.Lekshmi
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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