Atrial fibrillation of the heart: what is it and how dangerous is it?

An equal part of the excellent work of the heart is a smooth pulse. If the patient is diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, then the rhythm is broken. Such a small defect entails uneven filling of the atria with blood. As a consequence, the ventricles contract and expand non-uniformly. Violation of the normal rhythm of the heart can be dangerous, since in this case the probability of stroke increases. In this article, we will describe what symptoms accompanied by atrial fibrillation, what it is and what are the current methods of treatment.

general information

A normal heart rhythm is a whole chain of contractions of various parts of the main muscle of the human body. Initially, the atria contract, and then the ventricles follow. In the case of atrial fibrillation, the atria lose the ability to fully contract. Instead, they begin to chaotically juggle, that is, fibrillate. That is why in the specialized literature one can find one more name of such pathology - atrial fibrillation.

Over the years, such a disease is diagnosed more often. For example, in 40-50 years, approximately 1% of the population is confirmed to have fibrillation. However, by the age of 60 these indicators are increasing, pathology is diagnosed already at 5%. When the age mark exceeds 80, signs of atrial fibrillation can be observed in 10% of the population.

Such statistics are explained by the fact that in old age sclerosing of coronary arteries and heart walls often occurs. Moreover, ischemic disease often develops.

Atrial fibrillation of the heart: what is it and what are the causes of the pathology

The main reason for the development of atrial fibrillation is the abnormal operation of the so-called conduction system of the heart, in which there is a change in the order of contraction of certain cardiac fibers. Many factors contribute to the development of this pathology. Specialists distinguish between cardiac and noncardiological causes of arrhythmia. The first group includes pathologies of the heart and even blood vessels, which in young people are mainly associated with the valvular apparatus defects, and in the elderly - with such diseases as:

• IHD.
• Cardiosclerosis.
• Myocardial infarction.
• Hypertension.
• Tachycardia.

Non-cardiological reasons include the following:

• Diseases of the endocrine system.
• Frequent stress.
• Intoxication of the body with certain medicines and alcohol.
• Diabetes.
• Viral infections.
• Pronounced obesity.

In medical practice, cases are known where pathology has occurred for no apparent reason. Experts assume that in this situation it is hereditary, explained by a mutation of genes.

Clinical picture

Complaints of patients with this diagnosis can be very different. Symptoms of atrial fibrillation, or rather, their severity, depend on the degree of hemodynamic disturbances, as well as on the individual characteristics of the patient's body. As a rule, the pathology proceeds without obvious signs, rhythm disturbance is detected only during the next preventive examination. Sometimes the clinical manifestations are so distinct that the quality of life is significantly reduced. Below, we list the main features by which we can judge that a person is really unwell.

• Pain . Discomfort can be felt both in the heart area and just in the chest. It does not have to be a lot of pain. Sometimes a person "grabs", and then after a few seconds "lets go". Some patients note the appearance of sensations, as if a nerve had become blocked. Most people do not pay enough attention to such a symptom, taking it simply for discomfort due to fatigue or stress.
• Cardiopalmus.
• Shortness of breath and excessive sweating. These are quite common symptoms of atrial fibrillation. The patient feels shortness of breath after minor physical exertion, and sweating can even arise by itself, even in a calm state.
• Weakness in muscles.
• Frequent urination. This symptom is more common in elderly people.
• Feeling of fear or panic. If a person begins to sweat and suffocate for no apparent reason, instinctively, panic appears.
• Fainting and dizziness. These signs indicate that the person is really sick and he needs expert help from a specialist.

Forms of pathology

Based on the nature of the course of the disease? Allocate:

• Paroxysmal form. Attacks of the disease occur with a small periodicity, last no more than two days, are often most independently.
• Persistent form. Attacks last more than seven days, only after taking medications.
• Chronic form.

The following variants are distinguished according to the heart rate :

• Normosystolic (heart rate 60-90 strokes).
• Tahisystolic (heart rate more than 90 strokes).
• Bradisystolic (heart rate less than 60 strokes).

Establishing diagnosis

Only a qualified specialist can confirm such a diagnosis as atrial fibrillation of the heart. What it is, we have already told, now it's time to talk about the basic methods of diagnosis.

If the disease is suspected, the doctor usually appoints the following measures:

• ECG in twelve leads.
• General analysis of urine / blood to identify concomitant pathologies.
• The hormonal profile is necessary to exclude pathologies of the thyroid gland.
• Load test. Such a study allows to diagnose ischemia of the heart, as well as to monitor therapy with a chronic variant of arrhythmia.
• Radiograph.
• HMECG.

Medication Therapy

How to cure atrial fibrillation? Therapy of this pathology is selected by specialists in stationary conditions and depends on the results of the examination, thanks to which it is possible to identify the type and form of disturbance of the heart rhythm.

The quality of treatment is determined solely by the degree to which such goals are achieved:

• Sinus rhythm restoration.
• Preventing new attacks in the future.
• Control of heart rate.
• Preventing thrombosis to prevent the development of complications.

To prevent attacks, prophylactic antiarrhythmic drugs are prescribed (Amiodarone, Dofetilide, Propafenone). The choice of a specific medication for atrial fibrillation is performed by the cardiologist based on the cause of the pathology, its type and the presence of concomitant diseases.

To stop tachycardia attacks in a persistent form, antiarrhythmic drugs that are administered intravenously and so-called electrical cardioversion are also used. The latter implies the use of low-voltage electric pulses to restore the usual rhythm. This procedure is carried out in the intensive care unit.

In chronic form of fibrillation, as a rule, constant heart rate control is required between 60 and approximately 90 beats per minute. In this case, the use of beta-blockers (Propranolol, Metoprolol), cardiac glycosides (Digoxin) and antagonists of slow calcium channels (Diltiazem, Verapamil) is recommended.

With a high risk of blood clots in all forms of pathology, anticoagulants are prescribed.

When is surgery necessary?

Surgical treatment is recommended in the event that drug therapy and used tablets from atrial fibrillation do not help. In medical practice today the following methods are used:

• Radiofrequency ablation of sources of atrial fibrillation. During this procedure, through the femoral vessels, the doctor brings the guide straight to the heart. An RF pulse is applied to it, which also eliminates probable sources of arrhythmia.
• Radiofrequency ablation of the atrioventricular node with mandatory implantation of the pacemaker. To this method it is necessary to resort more often at the diagnosis "a ciliary arrhythmia of heart". What it is? To help such a procedure it is necessary to resort in the case when drug therapy is ineffective, that is, after taking medications it is impossible to normalize the heart rate. The radiofrequency pulse destroys the atrioventricular unit itself, and a pacemaker is installed, which imparts an electrical impulse to the heart, creating an artificially normal rhythm.
• Atrial cardioverter-defibrillator installation. This is a special device that is sutured subcutaneously in the upper part of the chest. From it, the electrode goes directly to the heart. This device allows you to immediately stop the attack that occurs with a pathology such as atrial fibrillation of the heart.
• Open heart surgery. This method is used in the presence of other diseases, for example, with severe damage to the arteries of the heart. In this operation, the possible sources of atrial fibrillation occur simultaneously.

Talk about nutrition

In treatment, all means are good, if it concerns such an important organ as the heart. Some patients are not limited to drug therapy, they use various additional methods. One of them is a special diet with atrial fibrillation of the heart. Undoubtedly, changing the habitual diet can not overcome the disease itself, but such a step helps to reduce the manifestation of clinical signs. If the diet is combined with competent drug therapy, you can get excellent results. Below we list those products, which should be abandoned in the first place.

• Alcohol . This is the most common cause of arrhythmia. Even if a person has minor heart problems, alcoholic drinks will have to be abandoned.
• Oily and smoked food. Such food often provokes the appearance of cholesterol plaques. Specialists strongly recommend to give it up even to absolutely healthy people.
• Spices . Acute spices adversely affect the heart. Doctors advise for some time to replace them with a mild option.
• Salt and sugar. Salt promotes fluid retention in the body, and this is very bad for excellent cardiac performance. In addition, shortness of breath and excessive sweating may occur. Be careful with sweets. A large amount of sugar in the diet and unregulated food often cause diabetes and other diseases.

What can I eat? A diet with atrial fibrillation assumes the inclusion in the diet of low-fat meat and fish, a large number of vegetables and fruits, fermented milk products. It is better to cook food for a couple or bake in the oven. A day should be at least 4-5 meals.

Diet does not imply strict cuts in the diet. It is important to eat in moderation and give preference to healthy foods. Only in this case one can hope for a quick recovery and absence of serious complications.

The help of traditional medicine

How to treat atrial fibrillation by folk methods? It is not recommended to resort to alternative medicine with a full replacement of the medication option. Herbal preparations and medicinal infusions are appropriate solely as an auxiliary measure.

Often flicker is one of the manifestations of serious cardiopathology (cardiosclerosis, vices). That is why first of all attention should be paid to the therapy of the main disease, and the clinical manifestations of arrhythmia will decrease independently, if in practice it will be possible to achieve progress in its treatment. Below we list the most common recipes of traditional medicine.

• Walnuts with honey. 100 g of walnuts must be ground in a blender. Add 0.5 liters of honey to the resulting mixture and mix gently. This mixture is recommended to be consumed daily on a tablespoon for one month.
• Onion and apple puree. Symptoms of the disease are significantly reduced if you eat a daily puree. To make it, you need to grind the onions and one apple. Such a medicine should be taken twice a day on an empty stomach.
• Potato juice is excellent in arrhythmia. For 14 days it is recommended to drink half the glass of this juice. Then you should take a break for about one month, and then continue the course of treatment.

Possible complications

The very heart disease, atrial fibrillation, is not as dangerous as its possible complications. One of the most common is the so-called cardioembolic stroke. This type of pathology occurs against the backdrop of chaotic atrial work, as a result of which the blood simply does not have time to expel from them. As a consequence, it stagnates and clots form. After a short period of time, blood clots can get into the vessels and through them to penetrate into absolutely any organ. The most serious is the penetration of a thrombus into the brain, which often results in a stroke.

What is dangerous atrial fibrillation of the heart? A clinical manifestation of the disease is also considered cardiogenic shock. This is a fairly serious violation of the contractile function of the myocardium. The ailment results in a sharp decrease in pressure. In this condition, the main muscle of the body can not fully supply all tissues and organs with blood, which leads to irreversible processes in them.

Prevention

Prevention in the first place implies the timely treatment of all diseases that can cause significant disruption of the heart. It is also recommended to minimize the impact of negative factors on the human body. Among them are the following: smoking, stress, drinking alcohol, constant physical stress.

Experts advise to completely revise the diet. At a ciliary arrhythmia of the heart, the diet should be based on low-fat foods and mainly plant foods. Attacks of interruptions can provoke such drinks as coffee, alcohol, strong tea. Taking into account the fact that the change in electrolyte metabolism can contribute to problems with the rhythm of the heart, experts recommend enriching the diet with rich potassium and magnesium products (honey, walnuts, zucchini, dried apricots).

Prevention of the disease also implies moderate physical activity: charging in the morning, skiing in the winter, walking in the park, swimming.

If possible, physical and emotional stress should be avoided. Achievement of inner peace is also promoted by auto-training. To eliminate excessive anxiety in stressful situations, it is possible to take sedatives on the recommendation of a doctor. For an excellent state of health, you must sleep at least eight hours a day.

It is very important to control the body mass index, glucose and cholesterol in the blood.

Conclusion

This article provides information on the topic "Atrial fibrillation of the heart: symptoms, treatment, prevention." Unfortunately, every year this pathology is diagnosed more often. Timely confirmation of the diagnosis and appropriate therapy can minimize the likelihood of development of negative consequences. Be healthy!