Atrial fibrillation - causes, symptoms and treatment, medications. Atrial fibrillation: causes and symptoms Flickering heartbeat

IN in good condition Within a minute, a healthy heart makes about 70 contractions. The specified rhythm is achieved alternately equal reduction and relaxation of the atria and ventricles. With atrial fibrillation (AF), the sequence of impulse transmission between the atria and ventricles is disrupted, and the atria stop contracting normally. Instead, random processes of contraction and excitation are observed in their individual fibers, the number of which can reach 350-800 per minute. Unfortunately, modern medicine I have not yet found the answer to the question about the mechanism of the appearance of pathological signals in the heart muscle.

Facts about atrial fibrillation (AF):

Males are more susceptible to the disease, however, women diagnosed with MA are more likely to experience premature death.
About 5.5 million people in the world live with a diagnosis of MA. Every year the number of patients increases by 720 thousand.
Approximately half of patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation are over 60 years of age.
According to epidemiological research, in the Russian Federation the prevalence of MA is at least 6%, exceeding similar foreign indicators by one and a half times.

Quite often, atrial fibrillation occurs as a complication after an acute form of myocardial infarction, as well as operations on open heart. MA is not an independent disease, it manifests itself against the background of another illness, and disappears after the underlying disease is cured.

We will discuss below what the symptoms and treatment of atrial fibrillation are, how it can be dangerous, and what preventive measures need to be taken to avoid its development.

CAUSES

The causes of atrial fibrillation are divided into two: large groups: cardiac (related directly to the heart) and extracardiac.

Cardiac causes of MA development:

pathology coronary arteries hearts;
condition after heart surgery;
congenital and acquired heart defects;
cardiomyopathy.

Extracardiac causes of AF development:

obstructive diseases pulmonary system chronic course;
pathologies of the endocrine system (for example, thyrotoxicosis);
surgical interventions;
diseases caused by viral infections;
gastrointestinal pathologies ( diaphragmatic hernia, cholecystitis, etc.);
CNS diseases.

In addition, approximately 10 percent of cases of atrial fibrillation are associated with other causes: taking medications that disrupt the electrolyte and metabolic balance in the body, chronic stress, excessive overexertion, and drinking large amounts of alcohol or caffeine-containing drinks.

The appearance of atrial fibrillation in humans young may be the first sign of an existing pathology - mitral valve prolapse, which usually occurs covertly and is discovered by chance.

CLASSIFICATION

Atrial dysfunctions can be classified according to several criteria.

Classification by the American Heart Association:

The paroxysmal form of atrial fibrillation is more common than others. This is an attack of tachyarrhythmia, which is diagnosed for the first time. This form very often accompanies hypokalemia ( sharp decline potassium content in the blood). The duration of the attack, as a rule, does not exceed a day. In rare cases, it can last up to five days.
In the persistent form of atrial fibrillation, the attack can last for 7-10 days, and it cannot be stopped independently. This form requires mandatory medication, and sometimes surgical treatment.
The chronic form of atrial fibrillation involves a permanent disturbance of heart contractions that lasts for at least a year. Full recovery A normal heart rhythm with this form is no longer possible.

According to the nature of ventricular contractions:

normosystolic MA (from 60 to 90 beats per minute);
bradysystolic AF (less than 60 beats per minute);
tachysystolic MA (more than 90 beats in 60 seconds).

According to the nature of atrial contractions:

fibrillation;
"fluttering" or "flickering".

According to clinical manifestations:

obvious atrial fibrillation;
latent (asymptomatic) MA.

SYMPTOMS

The clinical manifestations of such arrhythmia are directly related to its form and the type of underlying pathology against which the arrhythmia occurs. The severity of symptoms also depends on the individual characteristics of the patient (age, state of his cardiovascular system, etc.). Quite often, the symptoms of atrial fibrillation are blurred and therefore remain long time without due attention. For example, such a symptom of atrial fibrillation as dizziness is also found among signs of other diseases (brain injuries and tumors, pathologies inner ear etc.), and can also be a manifestation of stress or overwork.

The main symptoms of atrial fibrillation:

pain and tingling in the chest area;
feeling of heartbeat;
sudden weakness and increased sweating;
dyspnea;
pale skin;
panic attacks;
dizziness that ends in fainting.

An additional sign of atrial fibrillation in women is frequent urination, which is not associated with genitourinary pathologies or pregnancy.

DIAGNOSTICS

In about a quarter of patients, atrial fibrillation occurs in an asymptomatic form, so many of them, until a certain point, do not even know what it is - arrhythmia. Often, atrial fibrillation is detected randomly, for example, during a routine examination by a cardiologist, and at the time of diagnosis it may already be in a chronic stage, the complete cure of which is impossible at this stage.

Basic methods for diagnosing atrial fibrillation:

Collection of life history and complaints. The attending physician finds out exactly when the arrhythmia first appeared, and whether it causes painful sensations in the chest area, what diseases and operations the patient has suffered in his life, whether he or his immediate relatives have chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system.
A physical examination can identify the disease that caused atrial fibrillation. The doctor pays attention to the color and condition of the skin, listens to the lungs and heart.
General urine and blood tests can identify concomitant diseases.
Using a blood biochemistry test, cholesterol levels are determined, as well as the ratio of “good” and “bad” cholesterol, sugar and potassium content.
Studying the hormonal profile helps to exclude thyroid pathology as a possible cause of the development of atrial fibrillation.
An ECG (electrocardiogram) allows you to notice the irregularity of the heart rhythm, the absence of the P wave in atrial fibrillation, which reflects the synchronism of their normal contraction.
A chest x-ray is used to evaluate the size of the heart (whether it is enlarged or not) and changes in the lung tissue.
EchoCG helps to identify changes in the structure of the heart (areas after myocardial infarction, thickening of the heart walls, etc.).

In some cases, the above methods for diagnosing atrial fibrillation may not be enough, and the cardiologist may use additional ones.

Additional methods for diagnosing MA:

HMECG - Holter monitoring of the cardiogram for 1-3 days helps to determine periods of flickering arrhythmia that occur without visible symptoms, the form of AF, its duration, etc.
Transesophageal echocardiography. Inserting a probe with a sensor at the end through the esophagus makes it possible to determine the location of blood clots in the atria or their appendages.
A stress test, which is carried out using a veloegometer (special exercise machine). The patient receives physical activity, which increases gradually. Changes in cardiac activity are recorded using an ECG. This test allows you to detect the presence of coronary heart disease, as well as help to correctly prescribe the dosage of medications for the chronic form of AF.

TREATMENT

The methods used to treat atrial fibrillation are divided into two large groups: conservative and surgical. The attending physician determines the treatment tactics based on the clinical picture of the disease.

Therapeutic methods for treating MA:

Antiarrhythmic drugs are prescribed in the initial stages of the development of atrial fibrillation. They allow you to quickly get rid of the symptoms of the disease and slow down the further development of the pathological process.
Medicines that regulate heart rate prevent the ventricles from contracting faster than they should normally (β-blockers, cardiac glycosides).
Antiplatelet drugs are prescribed to prevent the development and formation of thrombosis (displatelet agents, blood thinners). The use of such drugs for the treatment of atrial fibrillation should be under the constant supervision of the attending physician, with regular monitoring of the condition using blood tests.
Control of the heart rate in order to keep it at the normal level (60 per minute) is carried out by taking beta blockers, digitalis drugs, calcium antagonists and some types of arrhythmics. Improvement in health after using this type of treatment is observed in 30-60% of patients. However, when long-term use its effectiveness may be reduced.

In some cases, conservative therapy does not produce the desired results, so surgery may be prescribed to treat atrial fibrillation.

Indications for surgical treatment of MA:

Lack of effect from the use of different types of medications.
Disturbances in the circulatory system (increased fainting states, decreased blood pressure, feeling of weakness), which are observed during attacks.

Methods of surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation:

Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive method that allows you to neutralize cardiac cells that cause AF. Penetration to the heart muscle is achieved by introducing a catheter through the femoral arteries, which “opens” the atrial fibers using a cold, laser or chemical reagent or a current pulse, thereby eliminating the source of AF.
Implantation of a pacemaker is carried out if it is not possible to normalize the heart rhythm with the help of medications (reduce the frequency of contractions per minute to 60-90).
Surgery to open the chest is used as an opportunity to stop the sources that cause atrial fibrillation while eliminating more serious cardiac pathologies (for example, during coronary surgery).

According to medical statistics, surgical methods Treatments for atrial fibrillation provide the highest chances of getting rid of this disease - from 70 to 85%.

COMPLICATIONS

Atrial fibrillation seems to be a simple disease only at first glance. Patients with this diagnosis should remember that atrial fibrillation is a pathology, the danger of which is associated with complications that arise as a result of the lack of timely adequate treatment or the transition of the disease to a chronic form.

The most dangerous complications of MA:

The development of cardioembolic stroke, which occurs due to stagnation of blood in the atria.
The formation of blood clots, which can travel through the bloodstream to any organ, including the brain, causing the death of brain tissue ().
Cardiogenic shock, which provokes a significant decrease in blood pressure, as a result of which the organs and tissues of the human body cease to receive the necessary nutrition, and irreversible processes begin in them.
The development of thromboembolism due to thrombus formation in the chambers of the heart.
The onset of sudden death due to cardiac arrest caused by blockage of its internal orifices.

PREVENTION

Preventive measures largely depend on the form of atrial fibrillation that is diagnosed in the patient. However, there are general recommendations that all patients diagnosed with MA must follow.

Preventive measures for atrial fibrillation:

A balanced diet that provides the body with everything essential vitamins and microelements. The basis of the diet should be foods rich in Mg and K (pumpkin, walnuts, dried apricots, zucchini). It is also recommended to use foods containing large amounts of fiber in the daily menu. Meals should be fractional, without periods of fasting and overeating.
Complete cessation of alcohol and tobacco use.
Regular physical activity: morning exercises, swimming, hiking, jogging, etc.
Timely treatment of diseases of the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism), respiratory organs (chronic obstructive bronchitis, bronchial asthma).
Avoiding stressful situations and conflicts. If necessary, take sedative medications.
Constant monitoring of blood pressure, preventing the development of arterial hypertension.
Maintaining body weight at the same level, without sharp jumps towards decreasing or increasing.

It is important to remember that at the first symptoms of atrial fibrillation, you should consult a cardiologist to prescribe therapy appropriate to the form of AF.

PROGNOSIS FOR RECOVERY

Paroxysmal and persistent forms of atrial fibrillation in modern conditions respond well to therapy; the chances of recovery are quite high, provided that timely and adequate treatment is aimed at eliminating the causes of the underlying disease. Unfortunately, curing the chronic form of MA is impossible at this stage.

The prognosis is least favorable for patients with serious heart pathologies (heart attack, cardiosclerosis, congenital or acquired defects, etc.), as well as thromboembolic complications. Atrial fibrillation in such patients causes the development of heart failure, which ranks third in the statistics of deaths.

Found a mistake? Select it and press Ctrl + Enter

Few of us think about the fact that daily human activity is ensured only by the fact that our heart contracts in a strictly ordered rhythm. And any deviations from a clear rhythm can lead not only to a deterioration in well-being or pain in the heart, but also to more serious consequences. One such abnormality is atrial fibrillation.

What is atrial fibrillation?

The heart consists of 4 sections - 2 atria and 2 ventricles. When the heart muscle contracts, the atria contract first, and then this process spreads to the ventricles. Atrial fibrillation is a form of arrhythmia in which the atria do not contract synchronously with the ventricles. And this prevents the ventricles from performing their role well - throwing blood into the systemic and pulmonary circulation. Aorta and pulmonary artery are not filled completely, or the heart has to make double efforts for this. Another name for atrial fibrillation is atrial fibrillation. Sometimes it is called flickering arrhythmia, but this is a colloquial and not entirely correct name.

With atrial fibrillation, the atrial contraction rate is usually significantly higher than the general heart rate and reaches 350-700 per minute. This flickering rhythm can be maintained for months, even years. Thanks to the atrioventricular node, the cardiac ventricles in most cases maintain a normal rhythm, or the rhythm of their contractions increases slightly.

Atrial flutter is often separated from atrial fibrillation. With this phenomenon, the atria retain their normal rhythm, but at the same time, erratic contractions of the atria with a frequency of 200-400 vibrations per minute are observed.

Atrial fibrillation in various forms affects approximately 0.5% of the population. The incidence rate increases with age. Among people over 60, 6% are sick; over 80, every tenth person is sick. Men are 1.7 times more likely to suffer from the disease compared to women.

Causes

Paroxysms of arrhythmia can be caused by:

drinking alcohol and coffee in high doses,
stress and emotional overstrain,
blow electric current,
surgical operations,
hyperthermia,
taking medications (diuretics, atropine, cardiac glycosides, adrenergic agonists, adrenaline).

In about a third of cases, the cause of atrial fibrillation cannot be determined. This arrhythmia is called idiopathic.

MA most often occurs in people:

smoking,
having excess weight,
with heart defects
with heart failure,
suffering from ischemic disease (present in every fifth patient with atrial fibrillation),
those suffering from thyroid diseases (a quarter of patients with hyperthyroidism experience attacks of atrial fibrillation),
with cardiomyopathies,
suffering from kidney and lung diseases,
those suffering from sleep apnea,
with cardiosclerosis,
with electrolyte imbalance,
with acquired (usually associated with the mitral valve) or congenital heart defects,
with pericarditis or myocarditis,
with ischemic transient attack in the anamnesis.

Many inflammatory diseases heart disease and coronary artery disease may accelerate fibrosis muscle tissue heart and replacing it connective tissue. In this case, the conductivity of the fibers is disrupted, which is a factor contributing to the occurrence of atrial fibrillation. However, the mechanism of the disease has not yet been fully identified. Although it is assumed that zones at the mouth of the pulmonary veins are responsible for the formation of pathological impulses.

Single paroxysmal attacks of atrial fibrillation can also occur in healthy people(up to 45% of all cases). Having relatives who have or have had atrial fibrillation increases the patient's likelihood of developing the disease.

Diagnostics

For diagnosis, methods such as ECG, 24-hour ECG, phonocardiography, ultrasound and cardiac radiography are used. Often, even with auscultation and palpation of the pulse, symptoms characteristic of atrial fibrillation are observed - erratic pulse, discrepancy between the heart rate and the pulse rate measured on the arm, abnormal noises, etc. This type of diagnosis, such as an ECG, allows you to clarify the diagnosis and determine the form of atrial fibrillation. EchoCG reveals the size of the heart chambers and the presence of valve defects. Blood tests are taken to determine the level of thyroid hormones and cholesterol. Only after examining all the data can the doctor assess the prognosis of the disease and develop the optimal treatment strategy.

Treatment

The treatment method for atrial fibrillation largely depends on its form and severity. Sometimes taking medications will be sufficient. Most often used for atrial fibrillation:

antiarrhythmic drugs,
beta blockers,
calcium antagonists,
anticoagulants and thrombolytics,
metabolic drugs.

Antiarrhythmic drugs used to relieve paroxysmal attacks of atrial fibrillation:

procainamide,
propanorm,
cordarone,
quinidine,
amiodarone.

Drugs belonging to the class of anticoagulants:

warfarin,
acetylsalicylic acid,
rivaroxaban,
clopidogrel,
apixaban.

For atrial fibrillation accompanied by tachycardia, it is possible to take beta blockers (metoprolol) or calcium antagonists (verapamil) to bring the heart rate within normal limits.

The drugs can be administered either intravenously or taken orally. Treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs should be accompanied by monitoring of blood pressure and myocardial parameters using an ECG.

For atrial fibrillation that cannot be corrected with medications, a cardioversion procedure is used. It involves applying an electrical discharge to the heart area using special device– cardioverter-defibrillator. The operation is performed in a state of narcotic sleep. The effectiveness of the procedure is quite high and amounts to 90%. Sometimes the use of drugs to normalize the rhythm is called drug cardioversion.

Anticoagulants are used for attacks of atrial fibrillation lasting more than 48 hours and before cardioversion. However, when treated with anticoagulants, bleeding may develop, so before starting therapy with such drugs, it is necessary to weigh all the risks.

In severe forms of the disease it may be necessary surgery(catheter ablation). After ablation, a pacemaker may be required.

During ablation, cells that provoke pathological electrical activity of the heart muscle are destroyed. The impact on the heart is not done with a scalpel, but with electric current, laser, cold or certain chemicals.

Pacemaker

A pacemaker is a small computer built into the body. It detects impulses emanating from the myocardium, and if the heart rhythm deviates from the norm, the pacemaker sends impulses that restore it. The stimulator has a memory in which all information about the work of the heart is recorded. The stimulator body is usually placed far from the heart, so that it does not interfere with the person, for example, near the collarbone.

Unfortunately, the pacemaker also has a number of disadvantages. It requires a person to regularly visit a cardiologist (2 times a year). Stimulants may be sensitive to powerful sources magnetic field(cell phone, microwave oven, power lines, transformer substations, metal detector scanner, magnetic tomograph etc.), to electric current, direct physical impact. These factors can lead to a heart attack.

Forecast

With proper therapy, the prognosis for life is conditionally favorable, except in cases where the condition is aggravated by severe cardiac and systemic diseases. The prognosis depends on the duration of the condition. Long course the disease increases the risk of complications, and as a result, the severity of the prognosis.

Signs

In mild forms, atrial fibrillation does not have pronounced symptoms. People can live with a disease for years and not suspect anything. But usually atrial fibrillation is manifested by sensations of irregular heart rhythm. With atrial fibrillation, the heart seems to flutter in the chest. Tachycardia is sometimes observed.

The phenomenon may also be accompanied by:

weakness,
increased sweating,
frequent urination,
shortness of breath,
increased blood pressure,
pain in the heart.

Unpleasant phenomena, especially pain in the heart, usually intensify with physical activity. The patient may experience loss of consciousness. A person having an attack usually feels fear.

On the ECG with atrial fibrillation, there is no P wave, which characterizes the normal electrical activity of the atria. Instead, the ECG shows small atrial f waves.

Classification

Atrial fibrillation can be accompanied by both an increase in the overall heart rate (tachycardia, more than 90 beats per minute) and a slowdown (bradycardia, less than 60 beats per minute). The form combined with tachycardia is considered the most dangerous. The rhythm may remain within normal limits (normocardia).

Classification of atrial fibrillation by frequency and duration

There are three main types of atrial fibrillation:

persistent,
paroxysmal,
constant.

If the condition is observed in a patient for the first time, then this form of atrial fibrillation is called newly diagnosed.

Newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation may subsequently become transient, persistent or permanent.

Transient attacks of arrhythmia can occur several times a day, last no more than a week (usually no more than 2 days), and usually go away on their own. In this case, the rhythm becomes normal sinus. Repeated attacks in some people can gradually become chronic.

Persistent MA lasts more than a week. This form does not go away on its own. To get rid of the condition, it is necessary to take antiarrhythmic drugs or electropulse therapy.

Long-term persistent MA lasts more than 1 year.

With constant atrial fibrillation, the condition often lasts for months, or even years. A feature of persistent arrhythmia is resistance to drug therapy.

Isolated arrhythmia is a type of atrial fibrillation found in people under 60 years of age who do not have structural heart disease and are not associated with a serious risk of thromboembolism.

Classification by severity

There are also gradations of atrial fibrillation depending on the severity of its manifestations. Form 1 is considered the lightest, form 4 is considered the heaviest.

In the first form of the disease, the patient does not feel any unusual symptoms. In grade 2, mild symptoms are observed, but normal activities are not affected. At grade 3, severe symptoms are observed and normal life activities are difficult. At grade 4, the symptoms become disabling and normal life activities are impossible.

If an attack of atrial fibrillation occurs

First of all, you should calm down (or calm the patient if the paroxysm of atrial fibrillation happened to someone else). The phenomenon of MA itself is rarely life-threatening. However, the excitement only increases unpleasant symptoms and contributes to the transition of the phenomenon to permanent or more severe forms. To calm down, you should drink 50 drops of Corvalol or Valocardine, take a tablet with valerian or motherwort. People around you need to support the patient morally.

It is necessary to stop any work, lie down or sit down (if it is not possible to lie down). The most optimal would be to take a semi-lying position. In a calm state, patients are less likely to experience shortness of breath. Then you should call a doctor. If this is not the first time a patient has encountered a condition, and he has already consulted a doctor about it, then the patient probably has medications prescribed to him for these cases. You must take them, following the dose prescribed by your doctor. Other methods of self-medication can be dangerous.

Why is it dangerous?

The main danger of atrial fibrillation is not cardiac arrest or heart attack, as many believe. Although such a threat does exist, such complications are rare.

The main danger of atrial fibrillation is different. With a constant mismatch in contractions with the ventricles, blood stagnation occurs in the atria and blood clots form. When normal heart rhythm is restored, these clots can enter the general bloodstream and clog some major vessel. This can lead to failure of various organs and limbs. The most a terrible consequence is a stroke. 15% of ischemic strokes are caused by AF.

Therefore, remove the patient from similar condition It is necessary only under the supervision of a doctor. In this case, it is necessary to take medications - anticoagulants that dilute blood clots in the heart.

Risk factors contributing to the occurrence of thromboembolism:

hypertension,
age over 65,
history of thromboembolism.

The greatest danger in this regard is the asymptomatic form of the disease, since a complication such as thromboembolism is often its first symptom, leading to severe complications such as stroke.

Prolonged attacks of atrial fibrillation lead to systemic hypoxia, damage to the heart muscle, and chronic heart failure. Atrial fibrillation may transform into ventricular fibrillation, which is incompatible with life. The prognosis associated with thromboembolism also worsens in chronic disease.

Atrial fibrillation increases mortality from other cardiac pathologies by approximately 1.5 times. In general, the presence of chronic MA in a person increases the likelihood of death by 2 times.

Many people don't even know what they have dangerous disease. Although it is widespread. In order to diagnose the disease in time, you need to know exactly what atrial fibrillation is: its symptoms and its treatment. Dangerous disease can provoke the formation of a blood clot in the atrium, which subsequently leads to a stroke. Often this type of arrhythmia leads to death, so it is necessary to quickly recognize it and begin treatment.

Symptoms of atrial fibrillation

Experts identify the following forms of atrial fibrillation:

Constant is characterized by a long-term attack that lasts more than a week.
Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation goes away on its own after 2 days.
Persistent atrial fibrillation is different in that it requires medical intervention to stop it.

In many cases, this insidious disease is discovered by chance during an ECG. Patients with atrial fibrillation notice an increase in heart rate, interruptions in the heartbeat, and they experience shortness of breath even with slight physical exertion. An attack of atrial fibrillation brings with it pulsation in the veins located in the neck, a feeling of fear, increased sweating, weakness and other symptoms. When the heart rhythm is restored, all signs disappear. When rhythms fluctuate, nausea and vomiting are possible.

Causes of the disease

Causes related to the heart and its work:

increased blood pressure;
ailments in the heart arteries;
heart valve defects;
congenital heart defects;
consequences of operations performed on the organ;
both the cause and the complication are heart failure;
inflammation of the walls of the heart;
tumors in the organ;

Among the reasons not related to the activities of the body are the following:

stress;
bad habits;
excessive physical activity;
caffeine;
some tablets (adrenaline, atropine and diuretics);
diseases of the lungs, thyroid gland and viral infections;
sleep apnea;
eating disorders (including diets).

Treatment of atrial fibrillation at home

When a person exhibits symptoms of the disease, the question arises: what is atrial fibrillation and how to treat it. First, you definitely need to consult a doctor, since the heart is the most important organ; problems with its functioning can be fatal. An examination and consultation with a doctor will help identify the cause of the disease. Treatment of a permanent form of atrial fibrillation will have to be carried out at home, since the disease is chronic.

Folk remedies

Atrial fibrillation: its symptoms and treatment involve the use of folk remedies:

Hawthorn decoction:

hawthorn berries – 30 pcs.;
hot water - 1 tbsp.

Preparation:

Take the fruits and crush them.
Add to the mass hot water, put on low heat. Cook for 10 minutes.
After removing the broth from the heat, cool and strain. Add a little water (boiled) so that the volume of the product is 1 tbsp.
You need to take the drug on an empty stomach, taking small sips.

Motherwort tea:

dry motherwort – 1 tbsp. l.;
boiling water – 1 tbsp.

Preparation:

Take dry herbs and pour boiling water over them. Infuse tea for about 15 minutes.
The drink should be consumed warm, 1 tbsp. l. 3-4 times a day before meals.

Herbal collection:

Ingredients:

Adonis grass (adonis);
calendula flowers;
mint;
sweet clover;
chicory root;
dog-rose fruit;
boiling water – 1 l.

Application:

Take all ingredients in equal quantities and grind in a coffee grinder.
Pour boiling water over 2 tbsp. mixture placed in a saucepan. You need to boil the product for 10 minutes.
There is no need to strain it, immediately transfer it to a thermos and leave it to steep for 6-8 hours.
Atrial fibrillation treatment folk remedies involves using this drug before meals, half a glass.

Drugs

Relief of atrial fibrillation through drug treatment should occur according to the doctor’s instructions; common medications include:

"Atenolol":

Ingredients: atenolol.
Application: regulates blood pressure, has a calming effect on the nervous system, restores heart rhythm.
Price: 22 rub.

"Cordaron":

Ingredients: amiodarone hydrochloride.
Action: relieves pain, helps reduce pressure and rhythm of the organ, maintains an adequate pulse, fights paroxysmal arrhythmia.
Price: 314 rub.

"Digoxin":

Active substance: digoxin.
Use: helps normalize the number of heart contractions, facilitates the work of the heart, eliminates swelling and shortness of breath.
Price: 53 rub.

"Aspirin":

Ingredients: acetylsalicylic acid.
Application: thins the blood, reduces the possibility of blood clots.
Price: 131 rub.

Operation

Surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation is necessary when pills are powerless; doctors can use one of the surgical methods:

Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) involves inserting electrodes into the heart through the femoral or subclavian vein. The operation requires local anesthesia and is not very traumatic.
When a pacemaker is implanted, a special device is introduced that is capable of restoring the heart rhythm. In addition to the electrodes that are placed in the vein, during such an operation it is also necessary to place the body of the device. The procedure is carried out under local anesthesia. The operation of a pacemaker requires compliance with certain rules.

Life forecast

Life expectancy with this disease is regulated by how responsibly a person will approach the recommendations of doctors. If everything is done correctly, then with uncomplicated atrial fibrillation the prognosis is favorable. However, this indicator depends not only on the pills and lifestyle, but also on the disease that caused the arrhythmia. In addition, the prognosis will be affected by the occurrence of a stroke, its severity, and the degree of development of complications, for example, heart failure.

Video: how to treat atrial fibrillation

In the ICD-10 classification, this disease is in the group “Atrial fibrillation and flutter.” Atrial fibrillation: its symptoms and treatment, pathogenesis are revealed even better and more clearly to the average patient on the pages of reference books and Internet sites. From the video below you can learn that the presence of this disease does not mean that you have signed a death sentence; the disease can and should be cured.

At some point in life, every person has experienced a heart rhythm disorder. The natural motor either begins to pound furiously, pulsating in the temples, or, on the contrary, knocks intermittently, “rolling up” almost to the throat. This condition is called arrhythmia. Its occurrence is associated with stress, heavy physical activity, and a feeling of fear. Arrhythmia with the beautiful epithet “atrial fibrillation” characterizes a rhythm disorder in which the atria cease to function coherently. And this is very serious. According to statistics, atrial fibrillation is diagnosed quite often. Treatment and attitude towards the disease must be very responsible. Only in this case the prognosis is quite favorable.

Cardiac causes of disease

The main cause of atrial fibrillation lies in the malfunction of the conduction system of the heart. As a result, normal contraction is disrupted muscle fibers. The atria are not able to produce one strong impulse every second. Small and frequent trembling occurs. As a result, blood flow is not pushed into the ventricles. Doctors find many culprits for this phenomenon.

Atrial fibrillation, the treatment of which is quite successful today, can be provoked by cardiac causes:

High blood pressure. Hypertension causes the heart to work at an increased rate. A significant flow of blood enters the vessels. Due to excessive load, the heart muscle stretches, increases in size and, naturally, weakens. This condition provokes disturbances of the sinus nodes and conduction bundles.
Arterial diseases. All components of the system need a constant supply of blood. It is through the arteries that oxygen moves. Due to illness, normal supply is disrupted and function is poorly performed.
Heart defects. Defects in the aortic or mitral valve provoke atrial fibrillation. Quite often this is the cause of the disease in young people. Due to the valve not closing tightly, some of the blood returns to the atria. Here it mixes with the venous one. As a result, the walls and volume of the atria increase. And this leads to weakening of the heart and deterioration in its functioning.
Surgical interventions. In a person who has undergone heart surgery, the conductive fibers may be damaged and scar tissue may form. By replacing unique cells, it forces impulses to travel in other ways.
Heart failure. An illness can be a cause or a consequence of an illness. Overworked from hypertension or a defect, the heart works much worse. The automaticity of the muscle is completely disrupted.
Myocarditis and pericarditis. These diseases are characterized by inflammation of the walls of the heart. Naturally, conductivity suffers as a result. Signals sent by the sinus node or nervous system remain unattended by the parts of the heart.
Tumors. These formations disrupt functioning. As a result, heart tumors do not conduct the necessary impulses. And, of course, they provoke serious violations.

Non-cardiac causes

The disease can be triggered by other factors. Therefore, if any of the following is typical for you, and periodically you feel interruptions in your heart function, you may have atrial fibrillation. Treatment should begin only after a complete examination. After all, the symptoms of many diseases are quite similar. The main non-cardiac causes include:

Alcohol and nicotine. Excessive doses of “hot” drinks can cause an attack of atrial fibrillation. Nicotine, cocaine, and amphetamine can provoke not only this disease, but also serious heart damage.

Stress. Any nervous shock provokes a disorder in the functioning of the nervous system. And this directly affects the heart rhythm. Another disadvantage is the increased content of adrenaline, which causes more frequent strokes.
Caffeine. It's no secret that overuse This substance causes an increased heart rate. It is worth noting that strong tea contains a decent dose of caffeine.
Physical exercise. Hard work muscular system requires additional blood flow. It is noted that in such cases the heart speeds up its rhythm twice as much. Sometimes the conducting system simply does not have time to coordinate the correct work.
Taking medications. Some drugs (atropine, adrenaline, diuretics) disrupt the balance of microelements involved in creating the impulse.
Thyroid diseases. Increased levels of hormones characteristic of hyperthyroidism significantly increase the number of heart beats. And this leads to an irregular rhythm.
Viral diseases. An increase in temperature causes an increase in heart rate. 1 degree increases heart rate by 10 beats per minute. In addition, intoxication disrupts the functioning of the nervous system. Taken together, these aspects can cause failures.
Eating disorder. Different diets or the wrong approach to diet can remove vital potassium, magnesium and calcium from the body. The lack of such elements disrupts the automaticity of the heart. As a result, the impulse may not be formed and not carried out.
Lung diseases. Problems with respiratory system often cause oxygen starvation. This has a rather bad effect on the functioning of the heart. As a rule, a lack of oxygen leads to the formation of uneven impulses.
Diabetes. This disease, accompanied by obesity, disrupts the body's metabolism. All systems suffer from a lack of normal blood supply. Of course, the brain and heart are the most sensitive to a lack of oxygen. As a result, their functioning is impaired.

Types of atrial fibrillation

This disease is a fairly common pathology. It ranked third on the list of reasons for hospitalization. Due to possible complications it is dangerous, especially for older people. Severe consequences may occur if due attention is not paid to such a serious manifestation as atrial fibrillation. Symptoms and treatment largely depend on the type of disease.

The following forms are distinguished:

Recurrent. This diagnosis is made after several attacks.
Paroxysmal. This form is characterized by spontaneous restoration of rhythm within a week.
Persistent. If symptoms last more than one week, this form of the disease is diagnosed.
Long-term persistent. This atrial fibrillation requires immediate hospitalization. Treatment is necessary for a very long time, usually about one year.
Constant. It is diagnosed when there is a sufficiently long absence of normal sinus rhythm. Characterized by high duration.

Main symptoms

One of the main signs is an increase in the number of heartbeats. In some cases, the atria deliver up to 600 beats per minute. The heart is unable to withstand this frantic rhythm, so it takes a break. The patient has a feeling that the natural motor either beats or stops knocking altogether. However, the opposite symptoms may also occur. Atrial fibrillation may be characterized by a slow heartbeat. Symptoms and treatment for this form vary. Therefore, it is quite important not to joke with this disease and not to self-medicate.

The main symptoms include:

chest pain;
shortness of breath, feeling of lack of air;
weakness;
dizziness, fainting, darkening of the eyes;
increased sweating, nausea;
irregular heartbeat, sometimes pulse deficiency;
anxiety, panic, fear of death;
increased urination (associated with increased blood pressure).

However, do not forget that patient complaints vary. Signs of the disease depend on the degree of impairment and the individual characteristics of the patient. Some cases are completely asymptomatic. Only upon examination, usually for a completely different reason, is a rhythm disturbance detected.

Carefully! First attack

The disease increases the risk of possible stroke and heart failure. Therefore, remember, if you are diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, treatment with folk remedies or following recommendations such as standing on your head or drinking valerian is not what you need. A more serious approach is needed here.

It is very important, when you first feel a rhythm disturbance, to call ambulance. As a rule, the patient is offered hospitalization. If an attack occurs for the first time, it is recommended not to refuse hospitalization. After all, in the hospital it will be much faster to select an effective treatment for such a serious disease as atrial fibrillation. Cordarone tablets (Amiocordin or Amiadarone) can interrupt an attack. This drug is internationally recognized as the best antiarrhythmic. But, unfortunately, the medicine does not work in all cases - only in 60%.

If the attack caused by atrial fibrillation does not stop, treatment (Cordarone tablets, as already noted, are not always effective) consists of cardioversion. This is electropulse therapy. The patient is given anesthesia and the heart rhythm is restored. They hold it with the same “Cordarone”.

If you have thyroid disease this drug, unfortunately, not recommended. After all, it contains iodine.

In general, if we talk about the accepted standards for the treatment of atrial fibrillation, then emergency relief for of this disease no need. After all, we are not talking about a threat to life. That is why tablets or intravenous drips are initially used. And only if such remedies are ineffective, electropulse therapy is prescribed.

Drug treatment

The attack can end as suddenly as it began. Sometimes it goes away in a few minutes. But it happens that its duration is calculated in hours, and sometimes even days. If you feel an irregular heartbeat, you should definitely inform your doctor about this fact. If the attack lasts for several hours, you should urgently call for help from doctors.

Treatment methods for atrial fibrillation depend on the form of the disease. Tactics are aimed at restoring, followed by maintaining, sinus rhythm, preventing recurrence of attacks, strict control over the heart rate and preventing the formation of blood clots.

If a patient is diagnosed with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, treatment includes the use of the following drugs:

"Quinidine";
"Novocainamide";
"Cordaron";
"Propanorm."

All medications are administered under the strict control of an electrocardiogram and blood pressure. These indicators make it possible to determine whether the choice of medications is effective, because atrial fibrillation occurs very individually. Drug treatment includes taking medications that help improve the well-being of patients. They are aimed at reducing shortness of breath and weakness. These are Anaprilin, Digoxin and Verapamil.

Atrial fibrillation that lasts more than two days can provoke the formation of blood clots. To avoid such a serious complication, doctors include the drug Warfarin in complex treatment.

If a chronic form of the disease is diagnosed, doctors recommend taking constantly prescribed adrenergic blockers. In this case, it is quite important to establish the cause of the attack. In those patients whose rhythm disturbance was provoked by the underlying disease, doctors begin therapy with it.

With repeated attacks, doctors consider more drastic methods. Treatment for permanent atrial fibrillation often involves implantation of a pacemaker.

Surgical intervention

Initially, doctors try to stabilize the patient’s condition with medications. If no positive results are found, doctors consider more serious treatment for atrial fibrillation. Surgery becomes the only chance to overcome the disease. Today, there are several types of surgical interventions.

Catheter ablation. This method is considered low-traumatic because it does not require large incisions. As a rule, to surgical intervention causes persistent atrial fibrillation. Treatment begins with research. And only after identifying the areas that provoke rhythm disturbances, the doctor destroys the cells that cause the atria to flicker. The operation is performed under local anesthesia. As a rule, intervention occurs through the subclavian vein.
Pacemaker implantation. In some cases, surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation involves installing a special medical device. This is the only way to restore the normal rhythm of heart contractions. The functions of a pacemaker can be to contract only the atrium or in combination with the ventricles. Most modern devices are very easily adaptable to all human needs. So, when the patient is active, the device can speed up the rhythm to provide the necessary blood flow to the muscles and lungs.

Of course, a pacemaker brings many benefits. It will not only improve your condition, but also allow you to become more resilient. It is important not to forget that the body constantly wears a complex device. Some restrictions are imposed on a person with such a rhythm stimulator.

We will have to accept prohibitions on:

MRI (only CT is allowed);
Ultrasound in the area of the pacemaker;
physiotherapy;
the effect of electric current on the body ( cosmetic procedures, operations, everyday life).

You should definitely listen to your well-being and not overload yourself with excessive stress. Do not forget that atrial fibrillation requires mandatory prevention. Treatment with folk remedies (as an additive to the main therapy) will help support the body. Many recipes invented by our ancestors will protect against new attacks.

Traditional methods

Achieving two main goals makes it possible to stabilize a disease such as atrial fibrillation. Treatment with folk remedies fully takes them into account. It's about about restoring the normal rhythm and maintaining it, thereby eliminating the risk of a new attack. For these purposes, various medicinal herbs. It is important to understand that the treatment of atrial fibrillation combines drugs (medicines) and folk remedies. Only like this A complex approach can guarantee effective results.

Hawthorn berries. Introduction to diet of this product allows you to strengthen the walls of blood vessels, improve the functioning of the arteries and heart. Active substances, found in abundance in hawthorn, help stabilize arterial pressure. And, importantly, they reduce the excitability of the nervous system and heart. Hawthorn restores the necessary balance of sodium and potassium in the body. Namely, these substances are responsible for the normal conduction of impulses. Thus, arrhythmia is significantly reduced.

Motherwort. This amazing plant helps lower blood pressure, fights the formation of blood clots, and perfectly calms the nervous system. By improving the functioning of the vessels that supply the heart, it stabilizes the rhythm. One tablespoon of the dry herb mixture is poured into a glass of boiling water. After just 15 minutes, the infusion is completely ready. You can also use a ready-made drug, which is sold in pharmacies. About 30-50 drops should be diluted in water. You need to take the product 3-4 times a day for a month.
Tincture mixture. One of the effective and simple recipes atrial fibrillation stabilizes. Treatment with folk remedies in this case involves mixing tinctures of valerian, hawthorn and motherwort. You need one bottle of each component. Use glassware. After draining all three ingredients, leave the composition to infuse for a day. This mixture should be taken for two months. Drink one teaspoon daily (3-4 times).

Nutritional Features

A person diagnosed with atrial fibrillation traditional treatment prescribes to pay attention not only to medications and herbs, but also to take care of the right diet. There are products containing large amounts of vitamins, microelements, and fat-breaking substances. They should be given preference.

Remember, for preventive purposes it is necessary to introduce the following products into your daily diet:

oranges, lemons;
garlic, onion;
walnuts, peanuts, almonds, cashews;
viburnum, cranberries;
dried fruits: dried apricots, raisins, prunes;
sprouted wheat grains;
vegetable oils;
dairy products.

Eliminate chocolate, coffee, alcohol, lard, and fatty meats from your food. Eating flour, sweet dishes, smoked meats, canned food, and rich broths has quite a negative impact on health.

Has an amazing property Apple vinegar. It protects the body from the formation of blood clots and saturates the heart muscle with potassium. Two teaspoons of vinegar are enough for one glass of water. Add 1 teaspoon of honey to the resulting liquid. This drink is drunk half an hour before meals. You need to take it daily for two to three weeks.

Conclusion

If you feel an irregularity in your pulse rhythm or interruptions in your heart function, do not rush to diagnose yourself. Seek competent help from your doctors. And even if you have been diagnosed with an illness, you should not panic. Modern treatment of atrial fibrillation allows you to choose the optimal set of measures that will protect against recurrence of attacks. In combination with folk remedies and in the right way they will protect life from unpleasant consequences illness.

The human heart creates and conducts electrical impulses through a special system. Normally, the organ contracts 60-80 times per minute with approximately the same frequency. Some diseases of the heart and other body systems lead to conduction and rhythm disturbances, resulting in asynchronous contractions of the myocardium. A disease that leads to such pathological changes, is called arrhythmia. There are many types of arrhythmias, some of which are quite life-threatening. Atrial fibrillation, or atrial fibrillation, is a serious cardiac disorder that requires urgent diagnostics and treatment.

What is atrial fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is translated from Latin as “madness of the heart.” The term “atrial fibrillation” is a synonym, and the definition of the disease is as follows: atrial fibrillation is a type of supraventricular tachycardia, characterized by chaotic activity of the atria with their contraction at a frequency of 350-700 per minute. This heart rhythm disorder is quite common and can occur at any age - in children, the elderly, middle-aged and young men and women. Up to 30% of cases of need for emergency care and hospitalization for rhythm disturbances are associated precisely with the consequences of atrial fibrillation. With age, the frequency of the disease increases: if up to 60 years of age it is observed in 1% of patients, then later the disease is registered in 6-10% of people.

With atrial fibrillation, contraction of the atria occurs in the form of their twitching, the atria seem to flutter, flickering ripples run through them, while individual groups of fibers work uncoordinated in relation to each other. The disease leads to a natural disruption of the activity of the right and left ventricles, which cannot throw a sufficient amount of blood into the aorta. Therefore, with atrial fibrillation, the patient often exhibits a pulse deficiency in large vessels and irregular heart rate. The final diagnosis can be made by ECG, which reflects the pathological electrical activity of the atria, and also reveals the random, inadequate nature of cardiac cycles.

The pathogenesis of the disease, that is, the mechanism of its development is as follows. The pathology is based on the re-entry of excitation into the heart muscle, with the primary and re-entry occurring through different pathways. Atrial fibrillation is caused by the circulation of excitation in the region of Purkinje fibers, and atrial flutter is caused by the circulation of impulses along the conduction pathways. For a repeated impulse to take place, there must be a zone with impaired conduction in the myocardium. The start of flicker occurs after the occurrence of an atrial extrasystole, when it appears after a normal atrial contraction, but not in all fibers. Due to the peculiarities of the functioning of the atrioventricular node, irregular functioning of the ventricles is also observed in atrial fibrillation. Weak impulses in the AV node fade as they move along it, and therefore only the strongest impulses coming from the atria enter the ventricles. As a result, ventricular contraction does not occur fully, and various complications of atrial fibrillation arise.

What is the danger of the disease

Because patients with atrial fibrillation have insufficient cardiac output, this can cause heart failure over time. As the arrhythmia persists chronic failure blood circulation progresses and can turn into acute form. Heart failure occurs especially often in individuals with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and heart defects, in particular mitral stenosis. It is very severe and can be accompanied by pulmonary edema, cardiac asthma, sudden cardiac arrest and death. Death can also occur against the background of an arrhythmogenic form of cardiogenic shock due to a serious drop in cardiac output.

Against the background of asynchronous contraction of the atria, blood can stagnate, which creates serious preconditions for thrombus formation. Typically, blood clots form in the left atrium, from where they easily enter the cerebral vessels and provoke an ischemic stroke. If atrial fibrillation cannot be stopped early, the risk of stroke is up to 6% per year. Such strokes are a very serious disease and cause serious consequences in future. Acute thrombosis of cerebral vessels can develop during prolonged paroxysm of arrhythmia (over 2 days), if the attack cannot be relieved in time.

Risk factors for development severe complications atrial fibrillation - the patient has diabetes mellitus, age over 70 years, previous pulmonary embolism or thromboembolism of other localizations, severe arterial hypertension, congestive heart failure.

Types of atrial fibrillation

There are several classifications of atrial fibrillation that are used in modern cardiology. According to the nature of the course, arrhythmia can be:

chronic (constant or permanent form) - continues until surgical treatment and is determined by the ineffectiveness of electrical cardioversion;
persistent - lasts more than 7 days;
transient (form with attacks of paroxysm) - the development of the disease occurs within 1-6 days, while the attack of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation can be primary and recurrent.

Based on the type of atrial rhythm disturbance, the disease is divided into two forms:

Atrial fibrillation, or atrial fibrillation. This pathology is caused by contraction of individual groups of myocardial fibers so that there is no overall coordinated contraction of the entire atrium. Some of the impulses are delayed in the atrioventricular junction, the other part passes into the cardiac muscle of the ventricles, forcing them to also contract with an irregular rhythm. Paroxysm of atrial fibrillation leads to ineffective contraction of the atria, the ventricles fill with blood in diastole, so normal discharge of blood into the aorta does not occur. Frequent atrial fibrillation carries a high risk of developing ventricular fibrillation - essentially cardiac arrest.
Atrial flutter. It is an increase in heart rate up to 400 beats per minute, at which the atria contract correctly, maintaining a correct, coordinated rhythm. There is no diastolic rest during flutter, the atria contract almost continuously. The flow of blood into the ventricles is sharply reduced, and the release of blood into the aorta is disrupted.

Forms of atrial fibrillation, which are differentiated by the frequency of ventricular contraction following malfunction the atria are:

tachysystolic form, or tachyform (ventricular contractions from 90 per minute);
normosystolic form (ventricular contractions 60-90 per minute);
bradysystolic form, or bradyform (ventricular contractions occur as a bradyarrhythmia - less than 60 per minute).

Atrial fibrillation can be assigned one of four classes according to the severity of its course:

first class - no symptoms;
second class - minor signs of the disease, no complications, vital functions are not impaired;
third class - lifestyle has been changed, pronounced symptoms of pathology are observed;
fourth class - severe arrhythmia causing disability, ordinary life becomes impossible.

Causes of arrhythmia

Not all causes of the disease are due to heart pathologies and other serious disorders. Up to 10% of all cases of atrial fibrillation in the form of paroxysmal attacks are caused by immediate causes, and the leading one concerns those people who prefer to drink alcohol in large quantities. Wine, strong alcohol, and coffee are drinks that disrupt the balance of electrolytes and metabolism, which entails a type of pathology - the so-called “holiday arrhythmia.”

In addition, atrial fibrillation often occurs after severe overexertion and against the background of chronic stress, after operations, a stroke, with too fatty, heavy meals and overeating at night, with prolonged constipation, insect bites, wearing too tight clothes, heavy and regular physical activity. Those who like to go on a diet, take diuretics medications V excess quantity are also at risk of developing atrial fibrillation. In children and adolescents, the disease is often hidden, blurred and provoked by mitral valve prolapse or other congenital heart defects.

And yet, in most cases, atrial fibrillation is caused by cardiogenic causes and diseases of the vascular system. These include:

cardiosclerosis of various etiologies;
acute myocarditis;
myocardial dystrophy;
rheumatic heart disease;
valvular insufficiency (valvular defects);
cardiomyopathy;
sometimes - myocardial infarction;
arterial hypertension;
damage to the coronary arteries by atherosclerosis;
pericarditis;
lesions of the sinus node - the pacemaker;
heart failure;
heart tumors - angiosarcomas, myxomas.

Non-cardiac causes of atrial fibrillation and flutter can be:

thyrotoxicosis (hyperthyroidism);
pheochromocytoma;
other hormonal disorders;
poisoning, toxic substances, carbon monoxide and other poisonous gases;
overdose of drugs - antiarrhythmics, cardiac glycosides;
VSD (rare);
severe neuropsychic stress;
obstructive pulmonary diseases;
serious viral, bacterial infections;
electric shock.

Risk factors for the development of atrial fibrillation are obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic illness kidneys, especially when they are combined with each other. Often, under the guise of atrial fibrillation, another pathology appears - SSSU - sick sinus node syndrome, when it ceases to fully carry out its work. Up to 30% of people with atrial fibrillation and flutter have a family history of the disease, meaning it could theoretically be inherited. In some cases, the cause of the disease cannot be determined, so the arrhythmia is considered idiopathic.

Symptoms of manifestation

The initial stages of the disease often do not give any clinical picture. Sometimes some manifestations are observed after exercise, for example, when exercising physical exercise. Objective signs of atrial fibrillation, even at this stage, can only be detected during an examination. As pathologies progress, they appear characteristic symptoms, which will largely depend on the form of atrial fibrillation and whether the disease is constant or manifests itself in attacks.

The tachysystolic form of the disease is much worse tolerated by humans. Chronic course leads to the fact that a person adapts to living with arrhythmia and little notices its symptoms. Typically, the patient initially has paroxysmal forms of atrial fibrillation, and then its permanent form is established. Occasionally throughout life, as provoking factors influence, rare attacks of the disease may occur, but a permanent disease is never established.

Sensations during the development of arrhythmia may be as follows (the specific list of symptoms depends on the individual characteristics of the body and the type of disease that caused flickering or fluttering):

feeling of lack of air;
heaviness, tingling in the heart;
sharp, chaotic twitching of the heart;
shiver;
weakness;
heavy sweating;
coldness of hands and feet;
strong fear, panic;
increased amount of urine;
disordered pulse, heart rate.

Paroxysm of atrial fibrillation can lead to dizziness, nausea, fainting and the occurrence of a Morgagni-Adams-Stokes attack, which is quickly relieved by taking antiarrhythmic drugs. When atrial fibrillation is complicated by heart failure, the patient develops swelling of the extremities, angina pain in the heart, decreased performance, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and enlarged liver. Due to the wear and tear of the myocardium, this development of events is natural, so it is important to start urgent treatment diseases as early as possible.

Carrying out diagnostics

Usually, an experienced cardiologist can make a presumptive diagnosis already during an external examination, counting the pulse, and auscultation of the heart. A differential diagnosis should be made at an early stage of the examination with frequent extrasystole. Characteristic signs atrial fibrillation are:

irregular pulse, which is much rarer than heart rate;
significant fluctuations in the volume of heart sounds;
moist rales in the lungs (with edema, congestive heart failure);
The tonometer reflects normal or decreased blood pressure during an attack.

Differential diagnosis with other types of arrhythmias is possible after an ECG examination. The interpretation of the cardiogram for atrial fibrillation is as follows: absence of the P wave, different distances between the complexes of ventricular contractions, small waves of fibrillation instead of normal contractions. With flutter, on the contrary, there are large waves of flutter and the same periodicity of ventricular complexes. Sometimes the ECG shows signs of myocardial ischemia, since the heart vessels cannot cope with its need for oxygen.

In addition to the standard 12-lead ECG, Holter monitoring is performed to more accurately formulate the diagnosis and to search for the paroxysmal form. It allows you to detect short atrial fibrillations or flutters that are not recorded on a simple ECG.

Other methods for diagnosing atrial fibrillation and its causes are:

Ultrasound of the heart with Doppler sonography. Necessary for identifying organic heart lesions, valvular disorders, and blood clots. More informative method diagnosis is transesophageal ultrasound.
Tests for thyroid hormones. They are definitely recommended for use in cases of newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation, as well as in case of relapse of the disease after cardioversion.
Chest X-ray, MRI, CT. Necessary to exclude congestion in the lungs, search for blood clots, and assess the configuration of the heart.

First aid

Treatment methods for permanent and paroxysmal forms of the disease differ significantly. If an attack develops, emergency relief of paroxysms should be performed to restore heart rhythms. It is necessary to restore the heart rhythm as soon as possible from its onset, because any attack is potentially dangerous for the development of severe complications and death.

First aid at home should include calling an ambulance, until which the person arrives should be placed in a horizontal position. If necessary, you must do indirect massage hearts. It is allowed to take antiarrhythmic drugs prescribed by a doctor in the usual dosage. Standards of treatment for all patients with an attack of atrial fibrillation require hospitalization to find the cause of the pathology and differentiate from chronic form arrhythmias.

You can stop an attack with the following drugs:

Quinidine (there are many contraindications to the drug, so it is not used in every case and only under ECG control);
Disopyramide (cannot be given for prostate adenoma, glaucoma);
Novocainamide;
Bancor;
Alapinin;
Ethacizin.

To prevent acute heart failure, the patient is usually prescribed cardiac glycosides (Corglicon). The treatment protocol for an attack of atrial flutter involves intravenous administration Finoptine, Isoptine, but it won't flicker effective treatment. Other antiarrhythmic drugs will not be able to normalize the heart rhythm, so they are not used.

A painful, but much more effective procedure for restoring sinus rhythm is electrical cardioversion. It is usually used if the arrhythmia does not go away after taking medications, as well as to relieve paroxysm of arrhythmia with acute left ventricular failure. Before such treatment is administered sedatives or general anesthesia for a short time. The shocks start at 100 J, each increasing by 50 J. Cardioversion helps restart the heart and eliminate an attack of atrial fibrillation.

Treatment methods

Etiotropic therapy for hyperthyroidism and some other diseases helps stop the development of atrial fibrillation, but under other conditions it requires symptomatic treatment. Clinical recommendations for the asymptomatic form of the pathology suggest observational tactics, but only in the absence of pulse deficiency and the presence of a heart rate not higher than 100 beats per minute.

Drug treatment

With the development of heart failure, organic pathologies of the heart, or a pronounced degree of atrial fibrillation, the pathologies need to be treated more actively, so the following tablets and injections may be prescribed:

cardiac glycosides for the prevention and treatment of heart failure;
beta-blockers to reduce stagnation in the pulmonary and systemic circulation;
anticoagulants to thin the blood and prevent thrombosis, as well as before planned treatment of arrhythmia;
thrombolytic enzymes for existing thrombosis;
diuretics and vasodilators for pulmonary edema and cardiac asthma.

Anti-relapse treatment for this disease is carried out for a long time - sometimes for several years. The patient must take the medications prescribed by the doctor; the only reason to stop taking the medication is intolerance and lack of effect.

Surgeries and other treatments

After restoration of sinus rhythm, many patients are recommended to perform breathing exercises, which will help improve heartbeat and normalize conduction. It is also recommended that special physiotherapy, and you can play sports only if there is no relapse of the disease for a long time.

Surgical treatment is planned in the absence of results from conservative therapy, that is, when taking pills is ineffective. Are used the following types surgical interventions:

Radiofrequency catheter ablation. This method involves cauterization of a pathological area in the myocardium, which is the source of arrhythmia. During treatment, the doctor places a conductor through the femoral artery directly to the heart and delivers an electrical impulse, which eliminates all disorders.
Ablation with installation of a pacemaker. Required for serious types of arrhythmia in which sinus rhythm is disturbed. Before inserting a pacemaker, the His bundle or atrioventricular node is destroyed, causing complete blockade, and only then an artificial pacemaker is implanted.
Installation of a cardioverter-defibrillator. This device is sewn into top part breast subcutaneously and is used to immediately stop an attack of arrhythmia.
Operation "labyrinth". This intervention is performed on an open heart. Labyrinth-shaped incisions are made in the atria, which will redirect electrical impulses, and the organ will continue to function normally.

Nutrition and folk remedies

After your doctor’s approval, you don’t have to limit yourself conservative medicine and apply traditional treatment for atrial fibrillation. Below are the most effective folk recipes for this disease:

Collect and dry viburnum berries. Every day, brew a glass of berries with 2 cups of boiling water, put on fire, cook for 3 minutes. Then leave the decoction for an hour, take 150 ml three times a day for at least a month.
Grind the yarrow herb, fill half the bottle with it, and fill it to the top with vodka. Leave the product for 10 days in a dark place. Take a teaspoon of tincture against atrial fibrillation twice a day before meals for a month.
Brew 1/3 cup of dill seeds with 250 ml of boiling water, leave in a thermos for an hour. Strain the infusion, drink, dividing into 3 parts, three times a day before meals. The course of therapy is 14 days.
Grind 100 g of walnuts, add half a liter of honey. Consume a tablespoon on an empty stomach every morning for at least a month.
Grind a small onion and 1 apple in a blender, take a tablespoon of the mixture three times a day after meals for 14 days.

It is very important for atrial fibrillation dietary food, consumption only the right products. Changing your diet often helps reduce clinical manifestations diseases. You should avoid fatty meats, smoked meats, and an abundance of butter, since this food only contributes to the development of atherosclerosis and the progression of arrhythmia. Negatively affects the heart spicy food, vinegar, excess salt, sweet dishes. The diet should include lean meat, fish, vegetables, fruits, and fermented milk foods. The number of meals per day is 4-6, in small portions.

What not to do

Patients with atrial fibrillation should never stop taking medications prescribed by their doctor on their own. It is also not recommended to do the following:

ignore the daily routine;
forget about sufficient sleep and rest;
drink alcohol;
smoke;
practice sports and other physical activities;
allow stress and moral strain;
plan pregnancy without prior health monitoring by a cardiologist or obstetrician;
try to remove acute attack arrhythmias using folk remedies.

Prognosis and prevention

If there are no organic pathologies of the heart, functional state myocardium is normal, the prognosis is favorable.

To prevent atrial fibrillation and flutter, the following measures are important:

timely treatment of all cardiac and non-cardiac diseases that can cause arrhythmia;
quitting smoking, alcohol, junk food;
reduction of physical and moral stress, regular rest;
consumption of large quantities plant food, taking vitamins, minerals;
moderate physical activity;
avoiding stress, mastering auto-training techniques;
if necessary, take sedative medications;
control cholesterol and blood glucose.