Risks of atrial fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation - causes, symptoms and treatment, medications. Atrial fibrillation: complications

At some point in life, every person has experienced a heart rhythm disorder. The natural motor either begins to pound furiously, pulsating in the temples, or, on the contrary, knocks intermittently, “rolling up” almost to the throat. This condition is called arrhythmia. Its occurrence is associated with stress, heavy physical activity, and a feeling of fear. Arrhythmia with the beautiful epithet “atrial fibrillation” characterizes a rhythm disorder in which the atria cease to function coherently. And this is very serious. According to statistics, atrial fibrillation is diagnosed quite often. Treatment and attitude towards the disease must be very responsible. Only in this case the prognosis is quite favorable.

Cardiac causes of disease

The main cause of atrial fibrillation lies in the malfunction of the conduction system of the heart. As a result, normal contraction of muscle fibers is disrupted. The atria are not able to produce one strong impulse every second. Small and frequent trembling occurs. As a result, blood flow is not pushed into the ventricles. Doctors find many culprits for this phenomenon.

Atrial fibrillation, the treatment of which is quite successful today, can be provoked by cardiac causes:

• High blood pressure. Hypertension causes the heart to work at an increased rate. A significant flow of blood enters the vessels. Due to excessive load, the heart muscle stretches, increases in size and, naturally, weakens. This condition provokes disturbances of the sinus nodes and conduction bundles.
• Arterial diseases. All components of the system need a constant supply of blood. It is through the arteries that oxygen moves. Due to illness, normal supply is disrupted and function is poorly performed.
• Heart defects. Defects in the aortic or mitral valve provoke atrial fibrillation. Quite often this is the cause of the disease in young people. Due to the valve not closing tightly, some of the blood returns to the atria. Here it mixes with the venous one. As a result, the walls and volume of the atria increase. And this leads to weakening of the heart and deterioration in its functioning.
• Surgical interventions. In a person who has undergone heart surgery, the conductive fibers may be damaged and scar tissue may form. By replacing unique cells, it forces impulses to travel in other ways.
• Heart failure. An illness can be a cause or a consequence of an illness. Overworked from hypertension or a defect, the heart works much worse. The automaticity of the muscle is completely disrupted.
• Myocarditis and pericarditis. These diseases are characterized by inflammation of the walls of the heart. Naturally, conductivity suffers as a result. Signals sent by the sinus node or nervous system remain unattended by the parts of the heart.
• Tumors. These formations disrupt functioning. As a result, heart tumors do not conduct the necessary impulses. And, of course, they provoke serious violations.

Non-cardiac causes

The disease can be triggered by other factors. Therefore, if any of the following is typical for you, and periodically you feel interruptions in your heart function, you may have atrial fibrillation. Treatment should begin only after a complete examination. After all, the symptoms of many diseases are quite similar. The main non-cardiac causes include:

• Alcohol and nicotine. Excessive doses of “hot” drinks can cause an attack of atrial fibrillation. Nicotine, cocaine, and amphetamine can provoke not only this disease, but also serious heart damage.

• Stress. Any nervous shock provokes a disorder in the functioning of the nervous system. And this directly affects the heart rhythm. Another disadvantage is the increased content of adrenaline, which causes more frequent strokes.
• Caffeine. It's no secret that excessive use of this substance causes an increased heart rate. It is worth noting that strong tea contains a decent dose of caffeine.
• Physical exercise. Increased work of the muscular system requires additional blood flow. It is noted that in such cases the heart speeds up its rhythm twice as much. Sometimes the conducting system simply does not have time to coordinate the correct work.
• Taking medications. Some drugs (atropine, adrenaline, diuretics) disrupt the balance of microelements involved in creating the impulse.
• Thyroid diseases. Increased levels of hormones characteristic of hyperthyroidism significantly increase the number of heart beats. And this leads to an irregular rhythm.
• Viral diseases. An increase in temperature causes an increase in heart rate. 1 degree increases heart rate by 10 beats per minute. In addition, intoxication disrupts the functioning of the nervous system. Taken together, these aspects can cause failures.
• Eating disorder. Different diets or the wrong approach to diet can remove vital potassium, magnesium and calcium from the body. The lack of such elements disrupts the automaticity of the heart. As a result, the impulse may not be formed and not carried out.
• Lung diseases. Problems with the respiratory system often cause oxygen starvation. This has a rather bad effect on the functioning of the heart. As a rule, a lack of oxygen leads to the formation of uneven impulses.
• Diabetes. This disease, accompanied by obesity, disrupts the body's metabolism. All systems suffer from a lack of normal blood supply. Of course, the brain and heart are the most sensitive to a lack of oxygen. As a result, their functioning is impaired.

Types of atrial fibrillation

This disease is a fairly common pathology. It ranked third on the list of reasons for hospitalization. Due to possible complications it is dangerous, especially for older people. Severe consequences can occur if you do not pay enough attention to such a serious manifestation as atrial fibrillation. Symptoms and treatment largely depend on the type of disease.

The following forms are distinguished:

• Recurrent. This diagnosis is made after several attacks.
• Paroxysmal. This form is characterized by spontaneous restoration of rhythm within a week.
• Persistent. If symptoms last more than one week, this form of the disease is diagnosed.
• Long-term persistent. This atrial fibrillation requires immediate hospitalization. Treatment is necessary for a very long time, usually about one year.
• Constant. It is diagnosed when there is a sufficiently long absence of normal sinus rhythm. Characterized by high duration.

Main symptoms

One of the main signs is an increase in the number of heartbeats. In some cases, the atria deliver up to 600 beats per minute. The heart is unable to withstand this frantic rhythm, so it takes a break. The patient has a feeling that the natural motor either beats or stops knocking altogether. However, the opposite symptoms may also occur. Atrial fibrillation may be characterized by a slow heartbeat. Symptoms and treatment for this form vary. Therefore, it is quite important not to joke with this disease and not to self-medicate.

The main symptoms include:

• chest pain;
• shortness of breath, feeling of lack of air;
• weakness;
• dizziness, fainting, darkening of the eyes;
• increased sweating, nausea;
• irregular heartbeat, sometimes pulse deficiency;
• anxiety, panic, fear of death;
• increased urination (associated with increased blood pressure).

However, do not forget that patient complaints vary. Signs of the disease depend on the degree of impairment and the individual characteristics of the patient. Some cases are completely asymptomatic. Only upon examination, usually for a completely different reason, is a rhythm disturbance detected.

Carefully! First attack

The disease increases the risk of possible stroke and heart failure. Therefore, remember, if you are diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, treatment with folk remedies or following recommendations such as standing on your head or drinking valerian is not what you need. A more serious approach is needed here.

It is very important, when you first feel a rhythm disturbance, to call an ambulance. As a rule, the patient is offered hospitalization. If an attack occurs for the first time, it is recommended not to refuse hospitalization. After all, in the hospital it will be much faster to select an effective treatment for such a serious disease as atrial fibrillation. Cordarone tablets (Amiocordin or Amiadarone) can interrupt an attack. This drug is internationally recognized as the best antiarrhythmic. But, unfortunately, the medicine does not work in all cases - only in 60%.

If the attack caused by atrial fibrillation does not stop, treatment (Cordarone tablets, as already noted, are not always effective) consists of cardioversion. This is electropulse therapy. The patient is given anesthesia and the heart rhythm is restored. They hold it with the same “Cordarone”.

If you have thyroid disease, this drug, unfortunately, is not recommended. After all, it contains iodine.

In general, if we talk about the accepted standards for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, then emergency relief for this disease is not necessary. After all, we are not talking about a threat to life. That is why tablets or intravenous drips are initially used. And only if such remedies are ineffective, electropulse therapy is prescribed.

Drug treatment

The attack can end as suddenly as it began. Sometimes it goes away in a few minutes. But it happens that its duration is calculated in hours, and sometimes even days. If you feel an irregular heartbeat, you should definitely inform your doctor about this fact. If the attack lasts for several hours, you should urgently call for help from doctors.

Treatment methods for atrial fibrillation depend on the form of the disease. Tactics are aimed at restoring, followed by maintaining, sinus rhythm, preventing recurrence of attacks, strict control over the heart rate and preventing the formation of blood clots.

If a patient is diagnosed with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, treatment includes the use of the following drugs:

• "Quinidine";
• "Novocainamide";
• "Cordaron";
• "Propanorm."

All medications are administered under the strict control of an electrocardiogram and blood pressure. These indicators make it possible to determine whether the choice of medications is effective, because atrial fibrillation occurs very individually. Drug treatment includes taking medications that help improve the well-being of patients. They are aimed at reducing shortness of breath and weakness. These are Anaprilin, Digoxin and Verapamil.

Atrial fibrillation that lasts more than two days can provoke the formation of blood clots. To avoid such a serious complication, doctors include the drug Warfarin in complex treatment.

If a chronic form of the disease is diagnosed, doctors recommend taking constantly prescribed adrenergic blockers. In this case, it is quite important to establish the cause of the attack. In those patients whose rhythm disturbance was provoked by the underlying disease, doctors begin therapy with it.

With repeated attacks, doctors consider more drastic methods. Treatment for permanent atrial fibrillation often involves implantation of a pacemaker.

Surgical intervention

Initially, doctors try to stabilize the patient’s condition with medications. If no positive results are found, doctors consider more serious treatment for atrial fibrillation. Surgery becomes the only chance to overcome the disease. Today, there are several types of surgical interventions.

• Catheter ablation. This method is considered low-traumatic because it does not require large incisions. As a rule, persistent atrial fibrillation leads to surgical intervention. Treatment begins with research. And only after identifying the areas that provoke rhythm disturbances, the doctor destroys the cells that cause the atria to flicker. The operation is performed under local anesthesia. As a rule, intervention occurs through the subclavian vein.
• Pacemaker implantation. In some cases, surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation involves installing a special medical device. This is the only way to restore the normal rhythm of heart contractions. The functions of a pacemaker can be to contract only the atrium or in combination with the ventricles. Most modern devices are very easily adaptable to all human needs. So, when the patient is active, the device can speed up the rhythm to provide the necessary blood flow to the muscles and lungs.

Of course, a pacemaker brings many benefits. It will not only improve your condition, but also allow you to become more resilient. It is important not to forget that the body constantly wears a complex device. Some restrictions are imposed on a person with such a rhythm stimulator.

We will have to accept prohibitions on:

• MRI (only CT is allowed);
• Ultrasound in the area of ​​the pacemaker;
• physiotherapy;
• exposure to electric current on the body (cosmetic procedures, surgeries, everyday life).

You should definitely listen to your well-being and not overload yourself with excessive stress. Do not forget that atrial fibrillation requires mandatory prevention. Treatment with folk remedies (as an additive to the main therapy) will help support the body. Many recipes invented by our ancestors will protect against new attacks.

Traditional methods

Achieving two main goals makes it possible to stabilize a disease such as atrial fibrillation. Treatment with folk remedies fully takes them into account. We are talking about restoring the normal rhythm and maintaining it, thereby eliminating the risk of a new attack. Various medicinal herbs are used for these purposes. It is important to understand that the treatment of atrial fibrillation combines drugs (medicines) and folk remedies. Only such an integrated approach can guarantee effective results.

• Hawthorn berries. The introduction of this product into the diet allows you to strengthen the walls of blood vessels and improve the functioning of the arteries and heart. The active substances contained in abundance in hawthorn help stabilize blood pressure. And, importantly, they reduce the excitability of the nervous system and heart. Hawthorn restores the necessary balance of sodium and potassium in the body. Namely, these substances are responsible for the normal conduction of impulses. Thus, arrhythmia is significantly reduced.

• Motherwort. This amazing plant helps lower blood pressure, fights the formation of blood clots, and perfectly calms the nervous system. By improving the functioning of the vessels that supply the heart, it stabilizes the rhythm. One tablespoon of the dry herb mixture is poured into a glass of boiling water. After just 15 minutes, the infusion is completely ready. You can also use a ready-made drug, which is sold in pharmacies. About 30-50 drops should be diluted in water. You need to take the product 3-4 times a day for a month.
• Tincture mixture. One of the effective and simple recipes stabilizes atrial fibrillation. Treatment with folk remedies in this case involves mixing tinctures of valerian, hawthorn and motherwort. You need one bottle of each component. Use glassware. After draining all three ingredients, leave the composition to infuse for a day. This mixture should be taken for two months. Drink one teaspoon daily (3-4 times).

Nutritional Features

For a person diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, traditional treatment requires paying attention not only to medications and herbs, but also to taking care of the right diet. There are products containing large amounts of vitamins, microelements, and fat-breaking substances. They should be given preference.

Remember, for preventive purposes it is necessary to introduce the following products into your daily diet:

• oranges, lemons;
• garlic, onion;
• walnuts, peanuts, almonds, cashews;
• viburnum, cranberries;
• dried fruits: dried apricots, raisins, prunes;
• sprouted wheat grains;
• vegetable oils;
• dairy products.

Eliminate chocolate, coffee, alcohol, lard, and fatty meats from your food. Eating flour, sweet dishes, smoked meats, canned food, and rich broths has quite a negative impact on health.

Apple cider vinegar has amazing properties. It protects the body from the formation of blood clots and saturates the heart muscle with potassium. Two teaspoons of vinegar are enough for one glass of water. Add 1 teaspoon of honey to the resulting liquid. This drink is drunk half an hour before meals. You need to take it daily for two to three weeks.

Conclusion

If you feel an irregularity in your pulse rhythm or interruptions in your heart function, do not rush to diagnose yourself. Seek competent help from your doctors. And even if you have been diagnosed with an illness, you should not panic. Modern treatment of atrial fibrillation allows you to choose the optimal set of measures that will protect against recurrence of attacks. In combination with folk remedies and the right lifestyle, they will protect against the unpleasant consequences of the disease.

Atrial fibrillation is a common heart rhythm disorder. This pathology is also called atrial fibrillation. It occurs in 1-2% of cases, but for older people these numbers are higher. Pathology can lead to serious complications, so it is impossible to delay its treatment.

General characteristics of the disease

Atrial fibrillation is a type of supraventricular tachyarrhythmia, that is, a pathologically fast heart rate. The pulse frequency sometimes reaches 350-700 beats per minute, which is several times higher than the norm.

The pathology is accompanied by frequent and chaotic contractions of the atria. Some complexes of atrial muscle fibers may experience twitching and fibrillation, that is, the synchrony of their work is disrupted.

According to statistics, 1-2% of people suffer from atrial fibrillation, but these are generalized figures. The prevalence of the pathology depends on age. For example, after 80 years, this disorder is diagnosed in 8% of patients.

A prolonged attack of atrial fibrillation can provoke thrombosis and ischemic stroke. With constant relapses of the pathology, rapid progression of chronic circulatory failure is possible.

Classification of the disease

Atrial fibrillation is usually classified according to the frequency and duration of its manifestations. The following forms of pathology are distinguished:

• First identified. This diagnosis is made to the patient if atrial fibrillation appears for the first time.
• Paroxysmal. This variety is also called transient. The duration of the attack is no more than 2 days, occasionally lasting up to 7 days. Restoration of sinus rhythm occurs spontaneously. The attack can be treated with medication, but sometimes goes away on its own.
• Persistent. With this type of disorder, the attack lasts more than 7 days. In this case, it can only be stopped with medication or by cardiac defibrillation. In some cases, surgery is required.
• Long-term persistent atrial fibrillation can last up to a year.
• The permanent form is a chronic manifestation of the disease. In this case, even treatment does not help restore normal rhythm.

There is also a classification of atrial fibrillation according to the manifestations of its symptoms. It was developed by the European Society of Cardiology (EHRA). According to this classification, there are 4 classes of atrial fibrillation:

1. Class I means the disease is asymptomatic.
2. Class II implies mild symptoms in the absence of disruption of normal activities.
3. Class III is characterized by severe symptoms when there is a change in daily activities.
4. Class IV symptoms are called disabling because the patient is unable to perform normal daily activities.

Atrial rhythm disturbances may manifest as flutter or fibrillation. The first option means that atrial contraction reaches 200-400 beats per minute, but the correct atrial rhythm is preserved. In the second case, the contraction affects isolated groups of muscle fibers, which explains the lack of coordinated contraction of the atria.

Causes

The risk of onset of atrial fibrillation is very high for people after 40 years of age and is 26% for men and 23% for women. The risk group includes patients with various diseases of the cardiovascular system:

• arterial hypertension;
• ischemic disease (in 20% of cases);
• heart failure;
• heart valve disease (acquired form);
• congenital heart disease;
• cardiomyopathy;
• inflammatory process (myocarditis, pericarditis, endocarditis);
• neoplasms;
• undergone heart surgery.

There are other risk factors called extracardiac. One of them is heredity. According to statistics, every 3-4 patients with atrial fibrillation had a similar pathology diagnosed in close relatives.

Atrial fibrillation can be caused by other factors:

• obesity;
• diabetes mellitus;
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease;
• apnea syndrome;
• chronic kidney disease;
• viral infection;
• gene mutation.

Atrial fibrillation can be a consequence of Graves' disease (diffuse toxic goiter), alcohol poisoning, neuropsychic stress, hypokalemia (lack of potassium in the body). This pathology can also be caused by intoxication with certain medications, in particular adrenergic stimulants or cardiac glycosides.

Sometimes even the most thorough diagnosis does not help to identify the cause of the violations. This atrial fibrillation is considered idiopathic.

Symptoms of atrial fibrillation

Signs of pathology directly depend on its form. Paroxysmal fibrillation may be asymptomatic. In this case, the first sign may be thromboembolism, often in the form of a stroke.

The main symptoms of the pathology are rapid heartbeat and chest discomfort, which can manifest as pain. The following signs indicate the occurrence of heart failure:

• weakness;
• dizziness;
• dyspnea;
• lightheadedness or fainting.

During an attack of atrial fibrillation, the patient may urinate more frequently. Such phenomena are caused by the increased production of a peptide hormone - atrial natriuretic peptide.

The patient may experience unexplained fear or a panic attack. This condition is often accompanied by excessive sweating.

Atrial fibrillation is accompanied by an arrhythmic pulse. Sometimes there is a deficiency, that is, the value at the apex of the heart exceeds the numbers measured at the wrist. This occurs because, against the background of a rapid ventricular rhythm, the stroke volume of the left ventricle is not enough to make a peripheral venous wave.

Diagnostics

Atrial fibrillation can be diagnosed during a physical examination. Palpation of the peripheral pulse reveals irregular rhythm with tension.

Auscultation of the heart determines the lack of rhythm in its sounds and reveals significant fluctuations in volume. Based on such signs, the patient is referred to a cardiologist.

To determine the form of atrial fibrillation, anamnesis must be collected. What matters is the date of the primary manifestation of the pathology and its duration. Be sure to consider risk factors.

The following studies are important for diagnosis:

• Electrocardiography. It allows you to confirm the diagnosis based on certain signs. Daily monitoring is important - monitoring using the Holter method. This is required to monitor heart rhythm and clarify the diagnosis. Carrying out exercise tests makes it possible to identify signs of myocardial ischemia and select the correct antiarrhythmic drug.
• Echocardiography. This test is based on ultrasound scanning. Diagnostics makes it possible to find out the parameters of the organ cavities, identify the presence of intracardiac blood clots, and evaluate the diastolic and systolic function of the left ventricle. The results of echocardiography are necessary when prescribing antithrombotic and antiarrhythmic treatment.
• Magnetic resonance or multislice computed tomography. This study allows you to visualize the heart in great detail.
• Transesophageal electrocardiography helps determine the mechanism of pathology development. These studies are especially important before the introduction of an artificial pacemaker or catheter ablation (destruction).

Treatment of atrial fibrillation

The main goals of treatment are to restore and maintain sinus rhythm and prevent relapses of attacks of pathology. It is important to control the heart rate and prevent thromboembolism.

Conservative therapy

Novocainamide and Amiodarone help stop an attack of atrial fibrillation. These drugs have an antiarrhythmic effect and are used orally and intravenously. Quinidine and Propafenone are also used for internal use. Taking such drugs involves monitoring blood pressure and conducting electrocardiography.

If there is a risk of thromboembolism, blood thinners are used. These are vitamin K antagonists or oral anticoagulants. Among them, direct thrombin inhibitors are usually used. Such drugs are prescribed individually, taking into account the characteristics of the disease and existing contraindications. When taking vitamin K antagonists, the patient needs constant laboratory monitoring of blood parameters (mainly for clotting), based on which the dosage is adjusted.

If an attack of arrhythmia lasts more than 48 hours, then the risk of thrombosis increases significantly. Warfarin can be used to prevent thromboembolic complications. This drug is an indirect anticoagulant.

If you have atrial fibrillation, it is important to reduce your heart rate. To do this, they resort to β-blockers and calcium channel blockers. These drugs cause the heart to slow down by preventing the rapid contraction of its ventricles.

If you have atrial fibrillation, it is important to keep your heart rate at 60 beats per minute. This effect is achieved using the following groups of drugs:

• calcium antagonists;
• β-blockers;
• digitalis preparations;
• antiarrhythmic drugs.

Often, among the groups of such drugs, “Digoxin” (digitalis drug), “Propranolol” (beta-blocker), “Verapamil” (antiarrhythmic, slow calcium channel blocker) are chosen. This therapy is prescribed taking into account the patient’s concomitant diseases. In some cases, treatment may need to be done in a hospital setting to monitor changes in heart rhythm and the body's response.

Such therapy is constantly necessary if the patient has been diagnosed with persistent atrial fibrillation, that is, a chronic form of the pathology.

Over time, the effect of taking an antiarrhythmic drug may decrease. In most cases, experts prefer to prescribe several drugs from this group.

For repeated attacks of atrial fibrillation, they resort to a method called "a pill in your pocket." The specialist selects a drug that has proven itself in hospital treatment. This approach allows you to stop an attack without waiting for hospitalization. Most often, Propanorm (Propafenone) is prescribed for such purposes. It is also used for prophylactic purposes to prevent repeated attacks of atrial fibrillation. In this case, it is necessary to take a certain dose of the drug daily, and this must be done at the same time each time. The dosage is selected individually depending on the characteristics of the pathology and the patient’s weight.

Drugs for the treatment of atrial fibrillation in most cases have serious contraindications. Only a specialist has the right to prescribe specific medications and determine their optimal dosage.

If the antiarrhythmic effect has not been achieved, then drug treatment is considered ineffective. In this case, surgical intervention is necessary.

Catheter ablation

This method of surgical intervention is called radiofrequency. The operation is usually performed under local anesthesia.

Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive intervention. After anesthetic treatment, a vein (artery) is punctured and electrodes are inserted into the heart cavity. This is done through introducers - special tubes.

First, an electrophysiological study is performed to detect arrhythmogenic zones. To do this, an intracardiac cardiogram is recorded and arrhythmia is provoked using special tests.

After identifying the arrhythmogenic area using an electrode, radiofrequency energy is directed to it. After a short period of time (usually 20 minutes), the success of the intervention is checked by electrophysiological testing. If the results are satisfactory, the operation is completed. After the catheters are removed, a pressure bandage is applied to the puncture sites.

Catheter ablation is attractive due to its rapid recovery. The patient only needs strict bed rest for the first 12 hours after surgery. At this time, you must lie on your back and do not bend your knees.

Artificial pacemaker

You can maintain a normal heartbeat during atrial fibrillation using an artificial pacemaker, also called a pacemaker. This type of surgery is considered minor.

The patient is given local anesthesia. Only the skin and subcutaneous tissue are cut, without touching the ribs. Then one vein is isolated and an electrode (sometimes several) is passed through it into the heart chamber. This manipulation is performed under X-ray control.

The parameters of the installed electrode must be checked. Then it is fixed in the vein, and a bed for the device body is formed in the subcutaneous tissue. After connecting the pacemaker to the electrode, the wound is sutured.

The pacemaker delivers impulses at a set frequency. Under their influence, the myocardium contracts, which ensures the necessary rhythm.

This operation is low-traumatic. The outer shell of the device is made of an alloy, which is extremely rarely rejected by the body.

Diet

If you have atrial fibrillation, you should reconsider your eating habits. It is important to maintain the BZHU ratio, it should be 4:1:3. The diet must contain the required amount of microelements.

Patients need to reduce the amount of salt. You don’t need to give it up completely, but add some salt to your dishes in moderation.

Fatty foods should be avoided. It negatively affects the state of the cardiovascular system.

If you have atrial fibrillation, you should not have bad habits. You should refuse them completely or limit them as much as possible.

ethnoscience

For atrial fibrillation, some traditional medicine methods are effective. You can use the following tools:

• Viburnum decoction. It must be prepared from berries. The fruits are collected after the first frost and filled with water. Use the product twice a day, 200 ml. The first dose should be in the morning, the second before bedtime.
• Yarrow tincture. It is made from alcohol. Take the product one teaspoon in the morning and before lunch.
• Dill decoction. It is prepared from seeds. Drink the decoction before meals, a third of a glass three times a day.
• A decoction of lily of the valley, valerian and hawthorn flowers is effective. The components must be taken in a ratio of 2:1:1.
• Hawthorn tea with rose hips (1:1) is beneficial. This product thins the blood.

Possible complications, prognosis

One of the serious consequences of atrial fibrillation is blood stagnation. This leads to the formation of blood clots, that is, blood clots. The left atrium is more susceptible to this phenomenon. The detachment of small fragments of a blood clot - an embolus - causes a heart attack, as they reach the coronary vessels. If emboli penetrate the carotid artery, a cardioembolic stroke occurs.

If the pathology develops against the background of a heart defect and impaired contractility of its ventricles, then heart failure may become a complication. If the patient has mitral stenosis or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the risk of pulmonary edema and cardiac asthma increases.

The low cardiac output of atrial fibrillation can cause arrhythmogenic shock. In this case, only emergency restoration of heart rhythm and subsequent treatment can save the patient.

Atrial fibrillation can progress to ventricular fibrillation, which, in turn, can lead to cardiac arrest.

The prognosis for atrial fibrillation largely depends on the severity of the cardiovascular disease that caused this pathology. Ischemic stroke can develop in 5% of cases per year, and for people under 60 years of age the risk is 1.5%, and after 80 years of age - 23%.

In every sixth case of stroke, the patient is diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. This factor increases the risk of death by 2 times.

Prevention

A distinction should be made between primary and secondary preventive measures. Primary prevention consists of active treatment of diseases that carry a risk of developing atrial fibrillation. Arterial hypertension and heart failure deserve special attention.

A healthy lifestyle is important, including a proper diet and sufficient physical activity. For example, you should give up bad habits. Your diet should include plant foods, fish and seafood. It is important to maintain a normal weight. It is useful to practice breathing exercises and...

If there has been at least one manifestation of atrial fibrillation, then secondary prevention is necessary. Its main goal is to prevent relapses of pathology.

This can be done through drug therapy or cardiac surgery. The patient must stop drinking alcohol and limit physical and mental stress.

Video about atrial fibrillation

The dangers of the pathology, risk factors, diagnosis and therapy are described in this TV show:

Atrial fibrillation is quite common, but older people are more susceptible to it. This condition requires medication and, in some cases, surgery. It is important to observe the prevention of not only the initial occurrence of pathology, but also its relapses.

Many people do not even know that they have such a dangerous disease. Although it is widespread. In order to diagnose the disease in time, you need to know exactly what atrial fibrillation is: its symptoms and its treatment. A dangerous disease can provoke the formation of a blood clot in the atrium, which subsequently leads to a stroke. Often this type of arrhythmia leads to death, so it is necessary to quickly recognize it and begin treatment.

Symptoms of atrial fibrillation

Experts identify the following forms of atrial fibrillation:

• Constant is characterized by a long-term attack that lasts more than a week.
• Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation goes away on its own after 2 days.
• Persistent atrial fibrillation is different in that it requires medical intervention to stop it.

In many cases, this insidious disease is discovered by chance during an ECG. Patients with atrial fibrillation notice an increase in heart rate, interruptions in the heartbeat, and they experience shortness of breath even with slight physical exertion. An attack of atrial fibrillation brings with it pulsation in the veins located in the neck, a feeling of fear, increased sweating, weakness and other symptoms. When the heart rhythm is restored, all signs disappear. When rhythms fluctuate, nausea and vomiting are possible.

Causes of the disease

Causes related to the heart and its work:

• increased blood pressure;
• ailments in the heart arteries;
• heart valve defects;
• congenital heart defects;
• consequences of operations performed on the organ;
• both the cause and the complication are heart failure;
• inflammation of the walls of the heart;
• tumors in the organ;

Among the reasons not related to the activities of the body are the following:

• stress;
• bad habits;
• excessive physical activity;
• caffeine;
• some tablets (adrenaline, atropine and diuretics);
• diseases of the lungs, thyroid gland and viral infections;
• sleep apnea;
• eating disorders (including diets).

Treatment of atrial fibrillation at home

When a person exhibits symptoms of the disease, the question arises: what is atrial fibrillation and how to treat it. First, you definitely need to consult a doctor, since the heart is the most important organ; problems with its functioning can be fatal. An examination and consultation with a doctor will help identify the cause of the disease. Treatment of a permanent form of atrial fibrillation will have to be carried out at home, since the disease is chronic.

Folk remedies

Atrial fibrillation: its symptoms and treatment involve the use of folk remedies:

Hawthorn decoction:

• hawthorn berries – 30 pcs.;
• hot water - 1 tbsp.

Preparation:

1. Take the fruits and crush them.
2. Add hot water to the mixture and place on low heat. Cook for 10 minutes.
3. After removing the broth from the heat, cool and strain. Add a little water (boiled) so that the volume of the product is 1 tbsp.
4. You need to take the drug on an empty stomach, taking small sips.

Motherwort tea:

• dry motherwort – 1 tbsp. l.;
• boiling water – 1 tbsp.

Preparation:

1. Take dry herbs and pour boiling water over them. Infuse tea for about 15 minutes.
2. The drink should be consumed warm, 1 tbsp. l. 3-4 times a day before meals.

Herbal collection:

Ingredients:

• Adonis grass (adonis);
• calendula flowers;
• mint;
• sweet clover;
• chicory root;
• dog-rose fruit;
• boiling water – 1 l.

Application:

1. Take all ingredients in equal quantities and grind in a coffee grinder.
2. Pour boiling water over 2 tbsp. mixture placed in a saucepan. You need to boil the product for 10 minutes.
3. There is no need to strain it, immediately transfer it to a thermos and leave it to steep for 6-8 hours.
4. Treatment of atrial fibrillation with folk remedies involves using this drug before meals, half a glass.

Drugs

Relief of atrial fibrillation through drug treatment should occur according to the doctor’s instructions; common medications include:

"Atenolol":

• Ingredients: atenolol.
• Application: regulates blood pressure, has a calming effect on the nervous system, restores heart rhythm.
• Price: 22 rub.

"Cordaron":

• Ingredients: amiodarone hydrochloride.
• Action: relieves pain, helps reduce pressure and rhythm of the organ, maintains an adequate pulse, fights paroxysmal arrhythmia.
• Price: 314 rub.

"Digoxin":

• Active ingredient: digoxin.
• Use: helps normalize the number of heart contractions, facilitates the work of the heart, eliminates swelling and shortness of breath.
• Price: 53 rub.

"Aspirin":

• Ingredients: acetylsalicylic acid.
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Operation

Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation is necessary when pills are powerless; doctors can use one of the surgical methods:

• Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) involves inserting electrodes into the heart through the femoral or subclavian vein. The operation requires local anesthesia and is not very traumatic.
• When a pacemaker is implanted, a special device is introduced that is capable of restoring the heart rhythm. In addition to the electrodes that are placed in the vein, during such an operation it is also necessary to place the body of the device. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia. The operation of a pacemaker requires compliance with certain rules.

Life forecast

Life expectancy with this disease is regulated by how responsibly a person will approach the recommendations of doctors. If everything is done correctly, then with uncomplicated atrial fibrillation the prognosis is favorable. However, this indicator depends not only on the pills and lifestyle, but also on the disease that caused the arrhythmia. In addition, the prognosis will be affected by the occurrence of a stroke, its severity, and the degree of development of complications, for example, heart failure.

Video: how to treat atrial fibrillation

In the ICD-10 classification, this disease is in the group “Atrial fibrillation and flutter.” Atrial fibrillation: its symptoms and treatment, pathogenesis are revealed even better and more clearly to the average patient on the pages of reference books and Internet sites. From the video below you can learn that the presence of this disease does not mean that you have signed a death sentence; the disease can and should be cured.

Atrial fibrillation, which is also defined as atrial fibrillation, is one of the types of complications that arise against the background of coronary heart disease in parallel with other types of heart rhythm disturbances. Atrial fibrillation, the symptoms of which can also appear as a result of the relevance of thyroid diseases and a number of associated factors, manifests itself in the form of heart contractions reaching a limit of 600 beats per minute.

general description

Atrial fibrillation, in its characteristic cardiac arrhythmia, is accompanied by chaoticity and frequency of excitation and contraction experienced by the atria, or fibrillation and twitching occurring with individual groups of atrial muscle fibers. As we have already noted, the actual heart rate in this state can reach about 600 beats per minute. In the case of a long paroxysm with atrial fibrillation, lasting about two days, there is a risk of blood clot formation, as well. Against the background of the persistence of atrial fibrillation, rapid progression of the state of circulatory failure in its chronic form can also be noted.

Notably, atrial fibrillation is the most common type of heart rhythm disorder, accounting for 30% of its related hospitalization rates. As for the prevalence of this type of pathology, its increase occurs in accordance with increasing age. Thus, among patients under the age of 60, the incidence rate is 1%, among patients after this age limit - 6%.

Risk factors for developing this condition include the following:

• Age . Age-related structural and electrical changes occurring in the atria become relevant; this, in turn, provokes the development of fibrillation in them.
• Presence of organic heart disease. This also includes open-heart surgery performed by patients.
• The presence of another type of chronic disease. These are thyroid diseases, hypertension and other pathologies.
• Alcohol consumption.

Atrial fibrillation: classification

Atrial fibrillation in determining one form or another of its classification involves focusing on the features of the clinical manifestations of this condition, the mechanisms of electrophysiology, as well as etiological factors.

Atrial fibrillation can be constant in its manifestation, that is chronic , persistent , and paroxysmal . Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation lasts for seven days, mostly ending within a period of 24 hours. Chronic atrial fibrillation and persistent atrial fibrillation, on the contrary, lasts more than 7 days. The paroxysmal atrial form of the disease, as well as the persistent form, can be recurrent.

An attack of this disease may be first appeared or recurrent , which in the latter case implies the occurrence of the second and subsequent episodes of fibrillation.

In addition, atrial fibrillation can manifest itself in accordance with two types of rhythm disturbances, that is, it can be atrial flutter or their flicker . Atrial fibrillation (fibrillation) occurs with the contraction of individual groups of muscle fibers, due to which there is no coordinated contraction of the atrium. There is a volumetric concentration of electrical impulses in the atrioventricular connection, as a result of which one part of them is delayed, and the other is switched to the myocardium, causing the ventricles to contract in one rhythm or another.

According to the frequency of contractions, atrial fibrillation, in turn, may be tachysystolic , which implies reductions within the indicator of 90 and above, as well as normosystolic , in which ventricular contractions can correspond to an interval of 60-90 per minute and Bradysystolic , where ventricular contractions reach a maximum of 60 per minute.

During paroxysm, blood is not pumped into the ventricles, atrial contractions are ineffective, and therefore the filling of ventricular diastole occurs freely and not in full. Ultimately, there is a systematic lack of release of blood into the aortic system.

As for a condition such as atrial flutter, it consists of an increase in contractions within the range of 200-400 per minute while maintaining a coordinated and clear atrial rhythm in this process. In this case, myocardial contractions follow each other, which occurs almost continuously, there is no diastolic pause, and at the same time, the atria do not relax, because for most of the time they are in a systolic state. Due to the difficulty of filling the atria with blood, less blood enters the ventricles.

The arrival of impulses to the ventricles along the atrioventricular connections occurs in every second, third and fourth case of them, which ensures the correct ventricular rhythm, that is, determines the correct flutter. If a disturbance in conduction occurs, the contraction of the ventricles is characterized by chaotic behavior, as a result of which atrial flutter, accordingly, occurs in an irregular form.

Atrial fibrillation: causes

The pathology under consideration appears as a result of the relevance for the patient of diseases of various systems and organs in the body, as well as diseases directly related to the heart. Let us highlight the main conditions and diseases, the course of which may be accompanied by a complication in the form of atrial fibrillation:

• heart defects (mostly affecting the mitral valve);
• syndromes: Wolf-Parkinson-White, weak sinus node;
• acute alcohol poisoning or chronic alcohol poisoning (alcoholic myocardial dystrophy);
• electrolyte-type disorders (mainly reduced to a lack of magnesium and potassium in the body).

Atrial fibrillation extremely rarely appears “for no reason”, being idiopathic; moreover, it is possible to assert that this is precisely this form only if the patient is thoroughly examined in the absence of any diseases that provoke the arrhythmia.

It is noteworthy that in some cases, just the slightest impact is enough for an attack to occur. Sometimes a clear set of reasons can be identified that determined the patient’s subsequent occurrence of an attack of atrial fibrillation. We can also identify a certain part of such reasons: physical or emotional overload, drinking alcohol or coffee, eating too much food, etc.

Recently, observations indicate a significant role of the nervous system in the occurrence of arrhythmia. Thus, due to the increased activity of its individual links, an attack is often provoked. In the case of influence of the parasympathetic link, which also belongs to the nervous system, we are talking about the vagal type of arrhythmia, but if the influence is the sympathetic link, then the arrhythmia corresponds to the hyperadrenergic type.

• manifests itself predominantly among men;
• the onset of attacks occurs at night or during meals;
• The following factors were identified as provoking the attack: horizontal position occupied by the patient, rich food, rest, bloating, bending of the body, tight tie or collar, tight belt;
• This condition does not occur during periods of emotional stress and physical activity.

Hyperadrenergic type of atrial fibrillation

• This condition manifests itself much more often among women;
• attacks predominantly appear in the morning; it is possible that they may appear during the day or in the evening;
• stress, emotional tension and physical activity provoke the occurrence of this condition;
• This type of arrhythmia disappears when taking a horizontal position, when calming down and during rest.

Atrial fibrillation: symptoms

The manifestations characteristic of the pathological condition under consideration are determined based on the form that is relevant for it, that is, we are talking about the state of tachysystolic, bradysystolic, constant or paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. In addition, the general condition of the valve apparatus, myocardium, and mental state also plays an important role.

The most severe condition is the condition provoked by tachysystolic atrial fibrillation. In this case, there is an increase in heart rate and shortness of breath, and the intensification of these symptoms occurs as a result of physical stress, interruptions in the functioning of the heart and pain in it.

As a rule, the course of atrial fibrillation occurs in paroxysms, with the progression of paroxysms. The frequency, as well as their duration in this case, is determined exclusively individually. Some of the patients, after just a few attacks of flickering, are faced with the establishment of a chronic or persistent form, while others experience short-term and rare paroxysms throughout their lives; in this case, there may be no tendency for subsequent progression.

Paroxysm during atrial fibrillation can be felt in a variety of ways. Thus, some patients may not notice their arrhythmia at all, learning about it by chance, at the time of a medical examination.

If we consider the typical course of atrial fibrillation, it can manifest itself in the form of chaotic heartbeat, polyuria, fear, trembling and weakness. Excessive heart rate can cause dizziness and fainting in the patient. In addition, Morgagni-Adams-Stokes attacks may also occur (convulsions, loss of consciousness, pallor, breathing problems, inability to determine blood pressure, heart sounds).

Symptoms of atrial fibrillation disappear almost immediately when cardiac sinus rhythm is restored.

With constant atrial fibrillation, patients often simply do not notice it.

Auscultation (listening to the heart for sound phenomena relevant to it) of the heart determines the presence of tones in it, appearing with varying degrees of loudness. The pulse is arrhythmic, the amplitude of the pulse waves is different. Atrial fibrillation is characterized by a pulse deficiency, which is caused by the peculiarities of the condition, as a result of which blood is not released to the aorta with every contraction of the heart.

If patients experience atrial flutter, this condition is usually accompanied by a characteristic increase in palpitations, shortness of breath, pulsation of the veins of the neck and, in some cases, a certain discomfort in the heart area.

Atrial fibrillation: complications

Most often, complications of this condition manifest themselves in the form and.

Mitral stenosis, when complicated by atrial fibrillation, can be accompanied by blockage of the atrioventricular (left) opening by an intra-atrial thrombus, which, in turn, can cause sudden cardiac arrest and, accordingly, death due to these processes.

When intracardiac blood clots enter the arterial system, concentrated in the systemic circulation, thromboembolism occurs in a variety of organs, with 2/3 of the blood clots ending up due to blood flow in the cerebral vessels. Thus, almost every sixth case of ischemic stroke occurs precisely in those patients who have been previously diagnosed with atrial fibrillation.

The group of patients most susceptible to peripheral and cerebral thromboembolism are those over 65 years of age. If patients have previously suffered thromboembolism, regardless of the characteristics of its concentration, with diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure and arterial hypertension, the chances of developing the listed variants of thromboembolism also significantly increase.

The development of heart failure against the background of atrial fibrillation occurs in those patients who have heart defects, as well as disturbances in the contractility of the ventricles.

One of the most severe manifestations relevant to heart failure in the presence of atrial fibrillation is arrhythmogenic shock, which occurs due to low and inadequately produced cardiac output.

In certain situations, a transition from atrial fibrillation to ventricular fibrillation with subsequent cardiac arrest may also occur. Most often, atrial fibrillation accompanies the development of chronic heart failure, as a result of which its progression is possible up to the state of dilated arrhythmic cardiomyopathy.

Diagnosis of atrial fibrillation

The following main methods are used:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG);
• Holter monitoring (24-hour recording of ECG parameters is carried out during the patient’s normal rhythm of life and its conditions);
• Real-time recording of paroxysms (one of the variants of the previous diagnostic method, in which a portable device provides signals via telephone in the event of an attack).

Treatment of atrial fibrillation

The determination of appropriate treatment tactics occurs in accordance with the specific form of the disease, and in each case it is focused on restoring normal sinus rhythm and its subsequent maintenance, as well as preventing recurrence of attacks of fibrillation. It also ensures adequate control of heart rate while simultaneously preventing thromboembolic complications.

Relief of paroxysms is carried out by intravenous and internal administration of the drugs novocainamide, cordarone, quinidine and propanorm, which is determined by the appropriate dosage in combination with control over the level of blood pressure and ECG.

The absence of a positive trend in changes in the condition of patients when using drug therapy suggests the use of electrical cardioversion, with whose help paroxysms are relieved in more than 90% of cases.

Atrial fibrillation necessarily requires treatment of the underlying disease that resulted in the development of the rhythm disorder.

As a radical method to eliminate atrial fibrillation, a radiofrequency method of providing isolation focused on the pulmonary veins is used. In particular, in this case, the focus of ectopic excitation, concentrated in the area of ​​the mouths of the pulmonary veins, is isolated from the atria. The technique is invasive in nature, and the effectiveness of its implementation is about 60%.

Few of us think about the fact that daily human activity is ensured only by the fact that our heart contracts in a strictly ordered rhythm. And any deviations from a clear rhythm can lead not only to a deterioration in well-being or pain in the heart, but also to more serious consequences. One such abnormality is atrial fibrillation.

What is atrial fibrillation?

The heart consists of 4 sections - 2 atria and 2 ventricles. When the heart muscle contracts, the atria contract first, and then this process spreads to the ventricles. Atrial fibrillation is a form of arrhythmia in which the atria do not contract synchronously with the ventricles. And this prevents the ventricles from performing their role well - throwing blood into the systemic and pulmonary circulation. The aorta and pulmonary artery do not fill completely, or the heart has to make double efforts for this. Another name for atrial fibrillation is atrial fibrillation. Sometimes it is called flickering arrhythmia, but this is a colloquial and not entirely correct name.

With atrial fibrillation, the atrial contraction rate is usually significantly higher than the general heart rate and reaches 350-700 per minute. This flickering rhythm can be maintained for months, even years. Thanks to the atrioventricular node, the cardiac ventricles in most cases maintain a normal rhythm, or the rhythm of their contractions increases slightly.

Atrial flutter is often separated from atrial fibrillation. With this phenomenon, the atria retain their normal rhythm, but at the same time, erratic contractions of the atria with a frequency of 200-400 vibrations per minute are observed.

Approximately 0.5% of the population suffers from atrial fibrillation in various forms. The incidence rate increases with age. Among people over 60, 6% are sick; over 80, every tenth person is sick. Men are 1.7 times more likely to suffer from the disease compared to women.

Causes

Paroxysms of arrhythmia can be caused by:

• drinking alcohol and coffee in high doses,
• stress and emotional overstrain,
• electric shock,
• surgical operations,
• hyperthermia,
• taking medications (diuretics, atropine, cardiac glycosides, adrenergic agonists, adrenaline).

In about a third of cases, the cause of atrial fibrillation cannot be determined. This arrhythmia is called idiopathic.

MA most often occurs in people:

• smoking,
• having excess weight,
• with heart defects
• with heart failure,
• suffering from ischemic disease (present in every fifth patient with atrial fibrillation),
• those suffering from thyroid diseases (a quarter of patients with hyperthyroidism experience attacks of atrial fibrillation),
• with cardiomyopathies,
• suffering from kidney and lung diseases,
• those suffering from sleep apnea,
• with cardiosclerosis,
• with electrolyte imbalance,
• with acquired (usually associated with the mitral valve) or congenital heart defects,
• with pericarditis or myocarditis,
• with a history of transient ischemic attack.

Many inflammatory heart diseases and coronary artery disease can lead to accelerated fibrosis of cardiac muscle tissue and its replacement by connective tissue. In this case, the conductivity of the fibers is disrupted, which is a factor contributing to the occurrence of atrial fibrillation. However, the mechanism of the disease has not yet been fully identified. Although it is assumed that zones at the mouth of the pulmonary veins are responsible for the formation of pathological impulses.

Single paroxysmal attacks of atrial fibrillation can occur in healthy people (up to 45% of all cases). Having relatives who have or have had atrial fibrillation increases the patient's likelihood of developing the disease.

Diagnostics

For diagnosis, methods such as ECG, 24-hour ECG, phonocardiography, ultrasound and cardiac radiography are used. Often, even with auscultation and palpation of the pulse, symptoms characteristic of atrial fibrillation are observed - erratic pulse, discrepancy between the heart rate and the pulse rate measured on the arm, abnormal noises, etc. This type of diagnosis, such as an ECG, allows you to clarify the diagnosis and determine the form of atrial fibrillation. EchoCG reveals the size of the heart chambers and the presence of valve defects. Blood tests are taken to determine the level of thyroid hormones and cholesterol. Only after examining all the data can the doctor assess the prognosis of the disease and develop the optimal treatment strategy.

Treatment

The treatment method for atrial fibrillation largely depends on its form and severity. Sometimes taking medications will be sufficient. Most often used for atrial fibrillation:

• antiarrhythmic drugs,
• beta blockers,
• calcium antagonists,
• anticoagulants and thrombolytics,
• metabolic drugs.

Antiarrhythmic drugs used to relieve paroxysmal attacks of atrial fibrillation:

• procainamide,
• propanorm,
• cordarone,
• quinidine,
• amiodarone.

Drugs belonging to the class of anticoagulants:

• warfarin,
• acetylsalicylic acid,
• rivaroxaban,
• clopidogrel,
• apixaban.

For atrial fibrillation accompanied by tachycardia, it is possible to take beta blockers (metoprolol) or calcium antagonists (verapamil) to bring the heart rate within normal limits.

The drugs can be administered either intravenously or taken orally. Treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs should be accompanied by monitoring of blood pressure and myocardial parameters using an ECG.

For atrial fibrillation that cannot be corrected with medications, a cardioversion procedure is used. It involves applying an electrical discharge to the heart area using a special device - a cardioverter-defibrillator. The operation is performed in a state of narcotic sleep. The effectiveness of the procedure is quite high and amounts to 90%. Sometimes the use of drugs to normalize the rhythm is called drug cardioversion.

Anticoagulants are used for attacks of atrial fibrillation lasting more than 48 hours and before cardioversion. However, when treated with anticoagulants, bleeding may develop, so before starting therapy with such drugs, it is necessary to weigh all the risks.

Severe forms of the disease may require surgery (catheter ablation). After ablation, a pacemaker may be needed.

During ablation, cells that provoke pathological electrical activity of the heart muscle are destroyed. The impact on the heart is not done with a scalpel, but with electric current, laser, cold or certain chemicals.

Pacemaker

A pacemaker is a small computer built into the body. It detects impulses emanating from the myocardium, and if the heart rhythm deviates from the norm, the pacemaker sends impulses that restore it. The stimulator has a memory in which all information about the work of the heart is recorded. The stimulator body is usually placed far from the heart, so that it does not interfere with the person, for example, near the collarbone.

Unfortunately, the pacemaker also has a number of disadvantages. It requires a person to regularly visit a cardiologist (2 times a year). Stimulators can be sensitive to powerful sources of magnetic field (cell phone, microwave oven, power lines, transformer substations, metal detector scanner, magnetic tomograph, etc.), electric current, direct physical impact. These factors can lead to a heart attack.

Forecast

With proper therapy, the prognosis for life is conditionally favorable, except in cases where the condition is aggravated by severe cardiac and systemic diseases. The prognosis depends on the duration of the condition. Prolonged course of the disease increases the risk of complications, and as a result, the severity of the prognosis.

Signs

In mild forms, atrial fibrillation does not have severe symptoms. People can live with a disease for years and not suspect anything. But usually atrial fibrillation is manifested by sensations of irregular heart rhythm. With atrial fibrillation, the heart seems to flutter in the chest. Tachycardia is sometimes observed.

The phenomenon may also be accompanied by:

• weakness,
• increased sweating,
• frequent urination,
• shortness of breath,
• increased blood pressure,
• pain in the heart.

Unpleasant phenomena, especially pain in the heart, usually intensify with physical activity. The patient may experience loss of consciousness. A person having an attack usually feels fear.

On the ECG with atrial fibrillation, there is no P wave, which characterizes the normal electrical activity of the atria. Instead, the ECG shows small atrial f waves.

Classification

Atrial fibrillation can be accompanied by both an increase in the overall heart rate (tachycardia, more than 90 beats per minute) and a slowdown (bradycardia, less than 60 beats per minute). The form combined with tachycardia is considered the most dangerous. The rhythm may remain within normal limits (normocardia).

Classification of atrial fibrillation by frequency and duration

There are three main types of atrial fibrillation:

• persistent,
• paroxysmal,
• constant.

If the condition is observed in a patient for the first time, then this form of atrial fibrillation is called newly diagnosed.

Newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation may subsequently become transient, persistent or permanent.

Transient attacks of arrhythmia can occur several times a day, last no more than a week (usually no more than 2 days), and usually go away on their own. In this case, the rhythm becomes normal sinus. Repeated attacks in some people can gradually become chronic.

Persistent MA lasts more than a week. This form does not go away on its own. To get rid of the condition, it is necessary to take antiarrhythmic drugs or electropulse therapy.

Long-term persistent MA lasts more than 1 year.

With constant atrial fibrillation, the condition often lasts for months, or even years. A feature of persistent arrhythmia is resistance to drug therapy.

Isolated arrhythmia is a type of atrial fibrillation found in people under 60 years of age who do not have structural heart disease and are not associated with a serious risk of thromboembolism.

Classification by severity

There are also gradations of atrial fibrillation depending on the severity of its manifestations. Form 1 is considered the lightest, form 4 is considered the heaviest.

In the first form of the disease, the patient does not feel any unusual symptoms. In grade 2, mild symptoms are observed, but normal activities are not affected. At grade 3, severe symptoms are observed and normal life activities are difficult. At grade 4, the symptoms become disabling and normal life activities are impossible.

If an attack of atrial fibrillation occurs

First of all, you should calm down (or calm the patient if the paroxysm of atrial fibrillation happened to someone else). The phenomenon of MA itself is rarely life-threatening. However, anxiety only intensifies unpleasant symptoms and contributes to the transition of the phenomenon into permanent or more severe forms. To calm down, you should drink 50 drops of Corvalol or Valocardine, take a tablet with valerian or motherwort. People around you need to support the patient morally.

It is necessary to stop any work, lie down or sit down (if it is not possible to lie down). The most optimal would be to take a semi-lying position. In a calm state, patients are less likely to experience shortness of breath. Then you should call a doctor. If this is not the first time a patient has encountered a condition, and he has already consulted a doctor about it, then the patient probably has medications prescribed to him for these cases. You must take them, following the dose prescribed by your doctor. Other methods of self-medication can be dangerous.

Why is it dangerous?

The main danger of atrial fibrillation is not cardiac arrest or heart attack, as many believe. Although such a threat does exist, such complications are rare.

The main danger of atrial fibrillation is different. With a constant mismatch in contractions with the ventricles, blood stagnation occurs in the atria and blood clots form. When normal heart rhythm is restored, these clots can enter the general bloodstream and clog some major vessel. This can lead to failure of various organs and limbs. The most terrible consequence is a stroke. 15% of ischemic strokes are caused by AF.

Therefore, it is necessary to remove the patient from such a state only under the supervision of a doctor. In this case, it is necessary to take medications - anticoagulants that dilute blood clots in the heart.

Risk factors contributing to the occurrence of thromboembolism:

• hypertension,
• age over 65,
• history of thromboembolism.

The greatest danger in this regard is the asymptomatic form of the disease, since a complication such as thromboembolism is often its first symptom, leading to severe complications such as stroke.

Prolonged attacks of atrial fibrillation lead to systemic hypoxia, damage to the heart muscle, and chronic heart failure. Atrial fibrillation may transform into ventricular fibrillation, which is incompatible with life. The prognosis associated with thromboembolism also worsens in chronic disease.

Atrial fibrillation increases mortality from other cardiac pathologies by approximately 1.5 times. In general, the presence of chronic MA in a person increases the likelihood of death by 2 times.