Anytime someone experiences AFib for the first time, they should go to the hospital.
This leads to ineffective emptying of the atria, thus increasing the risk of blood clots.
A person can be in AFib and not experience any symptoms.
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However, AFib can cause emergency symptoms that need immediate medical attention.
Call 911 for these symptoms:
Heart Rate vs.
Heartbeat
A heart rate is the number of times per minute that the heart beats.
It starts when blood enters the right atrium and is pumped into the right ventricle.
From the right ventricle, blood is pumped through the pulmonary artery to the lungs.
From the lungs, it returns to the heart via the pulmonary veins to the left atrium.
Blood then moves to the left ventricle and then out of the heart via the aorta to the body.
This entire sequence, ormovement of blood, happens during every heartbeat.
Stroke
The increasedrisk of strokeis due to how the heart moves when it is in AFib.
The upper chambers of the heart are not fully contracting during AFib.
This results in some blood staying in the atria.
When blood pools in the atria, there is an increased chance of clot formation.
Theseclotscan then be pushed out of the heart to the brain, causing a stroke.
Heart Failure
Heart failureis another complication of atrial fibrillation.
Heart failure is when the heart does not pump enough blood through the body.
When someone is in AFib, their heart is beating very fast.
This does not allow enough blood to fill the heart between contractions.
This decreases the amount of blood pumped into the body.
The extra blood in these veins causes fluid to be pushed into the lungs.
This is calledpulmonary edema.
Ultimately, less oxygen exchange in the lungs causes shortness of breath and fatigue.
They will be evaluated by a healthcare provider and given a few tests to make a diagnosis.
They will be sedated before they are shocked.
After treatment at a hospital, healthcare providers will create a home plan for people with AFib.
The goal will be to reduce the incidence of AFib and keep the heart rate and rhythm normal.
Most people will be taking medications daily to control their heart rate and ananticoagulantto reduce the risk of stroke.
However, there is still a risk of developing AFib.
Immediate recognition and treatment can improve outcomes.
For some people, AFib is something they will deal with for the rest of their life.
However, if symptoms worsen, it’s vital that they seek immediate medical attention.
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American Heart Association.Why atrial fibrillation matters.
Alsagaff MY, Susilo H, Pramudia C, et al.Rapid atrial fibrillation in the emergency department.Heart Int.
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Johns Hopkins Medicine.What is Afib?
UNC Health.You’ve been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, now what?
