What is paroxysmal atrial fibrillation?

atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rhythm associated with a disorganized electrical activity in the upper two chambers of the heart. Abnormal electrical impulses cause the atrium to be very quickly and uncoordinated. This is called fibrillation. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation shows that arrhythmia occurs at different intervals, rather than consistently or constantly. The result of fast, irregular rhythms is ineffective filling of the chambers, the lower two chambers of the heart that pump blood out into the body.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart arrhythmia. The basic cause is often unknown, but the risk increases with age. Up to 4% of those who are over 65 are influenced by atrial fibrillation. Other risk factors include coronary arteries, uncontrolled high blood pressure and obesity. This includes hyperthyroidism and potassium imbalance, calcium or magnesium. In these cases, atrial fibrillation is usually reversed when the basic condition is treated. Normal resting heart rate is 60 to 100 rhythms pera minute. During the episode of the paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, the heart can beat up to 175 times per minute. Some patients really feel fast irregular rhythms of the heart. It is called palpitations.

inefficient chambers filling also leads to many symptoms of atrial fibrillation. Patients often experience shortness of breath and chest pain. Fatigue, reduced ability to exercise and dizziness are also common. If atrial fibrillation is severe, confusion and fainting may occur.

atrial fibrillation is often detected for the first time by a health care provider who listens to the heart. The diagnosis is then confirmed by the Welectrokardiogram (ECG) that takes reading of the heart electrical activity. Sometimes the echocardiogram of the heart may be necessary. This is a test that visualizes the heart while it beats them.

For paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, episodes appear intermittent and can only take a few seconds or minutes. To confirm this diagnosis, patients can wear portableand continuous ECG for one or two days. This is called Holter Monitor. A similar device called the ECG monitor only takes ECG values ​​if the patient experiences symptoms and presses the button. The event monitor can be worn for several months.

Due to the intermittent nature of this condition, many patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation require no treatment at all. This is especially true if they do not experience symptoms. Patients are recommended to minimize stress whenever possible. More than half of patients with a paroxysmal list of atrial fibrillation as number one fibrillation episodes.

There are other steps that patients can take to avoid episodes. Caffeine, alcohol and nicotine should be avoided, as it turned out to be all triggers. Over-the-counter cold drugs such as pseudoephedrine can cause episodes and should be avoided as well. Smoking is also supported because it contributes significantly to the development of heart disease. From the same dHigh blood pressure should be checked.

If symptoms begin to occur more often, patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation can take medicines that slow heart rate to less than 80 rhythms per minute. This includes beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers and digoxin. Speed ​​check allows the chamber to allow more time to fully fill the blood. Note that this strategy manages symptoms but does not repair basic arrhythmia.

If the symptoms are not only effectively managed with speed control only, patients can take medicines that corna to correct the basic rhythmic problem. Examples include Sotalol, Amiodarone and Ibutilid. Long -term therapy has the potential to cause many side effects, so patients are carefully checked before antiarrhythmic drugs.

There are also treatment options without a drug for atrial fibrillation. The most commonly used is electric cardioversion. This is a procedure that attempts to convert an abnormal rhythm to a normal with the contractlined with an electric current passing through the heart.

atrial fibrillation itself is not a prerequisite for life, but there are two potentially life -threatening complications: stroke and heart failure. The risk of stroke is the result of combining blood in the hall during fibrillation. This can cause a blood clot and in some cases relax and go to the brain. Permanent or permanent atrial fibrillation requires this risk to reduce blood thinner treatment.

inefficient filling of the chambers means the heart of the heart is not a pump enough oxygenated blood into the body tissue. It is a heart failure and as soon as it happens, it can not be reversed. Patients' education about reversible risk factors such as obesity and high blood pressure will help prevent atrial fibrillation before it occurs.