Atrial Fibrillation

By Seth Bilazarian, MD, FACC, FSCAI, RPVI
Clinical and Interventional Cardiologist

Atrial fibrillation is a common heart condition, and in fact, is the most common type of arrhythmia disorder. Atrial fibrillation, sometimes called A Fib, affects 2 million Americans; six percent of Americans over age 65 experience it; and it is responsible for about 15% of all strokes. In this area, atrial fibrillation is the second most common cause for admission at the Merrimack Valley Hospital. Many things cause atrial fibrillation. The most common causes are hypertension (high blood pressure) as well as valvular and other cardiac disorders. Alcohol can also be a cause - in fact some have nick named atrial fibrillation the “holiday heart syndrome,” as it is sometimes associated with alcohol consumption during holiday celebrations. Atrial fibrillation can also be caused by pulmonary and thyroid conditions.

What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?
Patients with atrial fibrillation experience a number of symptoms including an inappropriately fast and irregular heart rate, dizziness and chest pain. If these symptoms occur, patients should seek immediate treatment in a hospital emergency room.

What kind of treatment is used for atrial fibrillation?
When a patient with atrial fibrillation comes to an emergency room, the first goal of the medical team is to slow down the patient’s heart rate and to restore a normal heart rhythm. To do this, patients usually receive a medication called Cardizem or diltiazem intravenously. The second goal of the emergency room team is to reduce the patient’s risk of blood clotting. The patient is usually given a blood thinning medication such as heparin. Patients with atrial fibrillation are then usually admitted to the hospital for observation and monitored on a telemetry unit where the nurses can closely watch the heart rates and rhythms. Some physicians may also order studies such as an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) or thyroid function blood work to determine the cause of the atrial fibrillation. Long-term care may include continued medication for rate control and blood thinning. For many patients however, no medications or follow-up treatment is needed.

Atrial fibrillation is a very common heart disorder.

People experiencing an inappropriately fast heart rate, dizziness and chest pain should seek immediate treatment at a hospital emergency room. Under a physician’s care, there are several treatment options available, and long term treatment and prognosis for most patients is very good.

If you have questions about atrial fibrillation or other heart-related concerns, contact your primary care physician or cardiologist.