UnderstandingATRIAL FIBRILLATION - PDF document

UnderstandingATRIAL FIBRILLATION HEARTSERIESH9 Theinformationcontainedinthisbookletisbasedonguidelinesandpracticeand iscorrectattimeofprinting.Thecontenthasundergonepee,patientandexpertrevie. Theinformationcontainedinthisbookletisbasedonguidelinesandpracticeand iscorrectattimeofprinting.Thecontenthasundergon

epee,patientandexpertrevie. Understanding Atrial Fibrillation UNDERSTANDING ATRIAL FIBRILLATIONPrevention of blood clots and stroke Understanding Atrial Fibrillation whole body. To do this the four chambers of your heart Your heart can beat too quickly (tachycardia), too slowly (bradycardia) and / or in an

irregular way.rest. If you have Atrial Fibrillation (AF) your heartbeat will be Understanding Atrial Fibrillation Figure 1. Diagram of electrical pathway Sino-atrial Atrio-ventricular cells called the atrio-ventricular node. These cells act as a into the main arteries. The ‘pacemaker’ produces an

other Figure 1) where the heart’s natural ‘pacemaker’, the sino- Understanding Atrial Fibrillation “brillation” waves between heartbeats. The rhythm is WHAT HAPPENS IN ATRIAL FIBRILLATION?irregular way. This is known as The atrio-ventricular node can not pass on all of these U

nderstanding Atrial Fibrillation severity. Each situation will be treated differently depending Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation Persistent atrial fibrillationdays and can be treated with drugs or by ‘cardioversion’ to Permanent or chronic atrial fibrillation lasts for a Acute-onset atrial fibrillat

ion is an episode of AF that Understanding Atrial Fibrillation WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF AF?However, when the heart beats fast and in an irregular palpitations (increased awareness of your heartbeat)If you notice a sudden change in your heartbeat Understanding Atrial Fibrillation WHAT CAUSES AF?lung condit

ions such as: pulmonary embolism, asthma, imbalances in the blood, e.g. potassium and calcium Understanding Atrial Fibrillation WHAT TRIGGERS AF?There are a variety of situations that can trigger an episode of, or contribute to, AF:drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, particularly ‘binge taking illegal

drugs, particularly those that stimulate the heart, Learning to recognise your individual trigger factors and the symptoms of AF. WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF AF?a pool of blood in the chamber. This blood can become sludgy not meet the body’s demands for blood and oxygen the body work efficiently. Understandin

g Atrial Fibrillation WHAT TESTS MIGHT BE NEEDED?Your doctor may decide to do some tests to diagnose AF and particular angle across the body.Variations of ECG include:24-hour ECG: (also known as ‘24-hour tape’, holter even just short periods of AF. Exercise ECG (‘stress test’ or ‘t

readmill test’): this records the activity of your heart as you make it work harder, i.e. by walking on a treadmill. You will be closely monitored by underlying problems with the heart which have led to AF. Understanding Atrial Fibrillation AF. Understanding Atrial Fibrillation WHAT IS THE TREATMENT F

OR AF?Factors that your doctor should consider when deciding what treatment, if any, is best for your individual circumstances what type of AF you havewhat symptoms you have Treatment for AF involves the following: symptoms, with your doctor. Sometimes you may have to Understanding Atrial FibrillationThe fol

lowing groups of drugs can be used to treat AF:will be benefit from cardioversion treatment. Your heart specialist machine called a defibrillator, to restore the normal heart rhythm. Cardioversion can be repeated if necessary. Other treatments that are used to treat AF:electrical signals which interfere with

the natural pacemaker, are destroyed using a laser.to keep it beating regularly. Some people with atrial fibrillation have Understanding Atrial Fibrillation Your doctor may prescribe a medicine to reduce the risk of Warfarin is the most commonly used anticoagulant in people Your doctor will decide which ty

pe of drug is best for you and Except in an emergency, your doctor should discuss these PREVENTION OF BLOOD CLOTS AND STROKE Understanding Atrial Fibrillation WarfarinWarfarin is the anticoagulant most commonly used in AF. If PT (Prothrombin Time) or INR (International Normalised Ratio of Prothrombin Time).S

ee the CHSS factsheet ‘Warfarin’ for more information.Direct oral anticoagulant drugs (DOACs)Dabigatran (Pradaxaatrial fibrillation. Your doctor will be able to discuss this with Understanding Atrial Fibrillation Bromley, Kent BR2 9WPTel: 020 8289 6875 Website: www.anticoagulationeurope.orgStratf

ord-Upon-AvonWarwickshire CV37 8YLWebsite: www.arrhythmiaalliance.org.uk Rosebery House, 9 Haymarket Terrace, Tel: 0131 225 6963 Fax: 0131 220 6313Website: www.chss.org.ukChest Heart & Stroke Scotland improves the quality of life for people in Scotland affected by chest, heart and stroke illness, through m

edical research, inuencing public policy, advice and information and support in the community. 0131 225 6963 Rosebery House, 9 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 5EZ Heartinformation Stroke information Chest information FREEPHONE08088010899 ww Heartinformation Stroke information Chest information infor

mation Stroke information Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS) is a wholly Scottish charity Scottish Charity Number SC018761 0131 225 6963 Rosebery House, 9 Haymarket Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 5EZ ChestHeart&StrkeSctand isaScottishcharity.Ourambition istomakesurethatthereisnolife halflivedinScotland.After

adiagnosisofachestor hertconditionorastroke,many peopleexperienceferandisolation andstrugglewththeimpacton theirlives. ChestHeart&Strke Sctand won’tstand forthat. Thecareandsupportwedeliver everydayensureseveryonecan livethelifetheywantto.CONT ACTUS calltheCHSSAdiceLinenursesonFreephone0808801089oremai

ladvceline@chss.org.uk ChestHert&StrokeScotlandRoseberyHouse,9HaymarketTerrace,EdinburghEH125EZTel: 01312256963 | enMon–Friwww.chss.og.uk Heart&StrokeScotlandisawhollyScottishcharity.ItalsooperatesasCHSSandisregisteredinScotland asacompanylimitedbyguarantee,noSC129114.PublsedDecember 2013 A120-COM-H9