Atrial fibrillation or atrial fibrillation is the most common form of heart rhythm disturbance. According to available statistics, approximately 1% of the population suffers from such a violation.
In a normal state, a nerve impulse rises rhythmically in the atria and they contract with a frequency of 60-90 beats per minute. With atrial fibrillation, many different pulses randomly occur in them, and the frequency of contractions is approximately 300-700 per minute. In this case, the blood circulation process is disturbed.
Features of the disease
Atrial fibrillation is a violation in the system of electrical conduction of the heart muscle. The heart is a hollow muscle, consisting of 4 separate cavities. At its core, it is a pump that provides microcirculation of blood in the body and maintains blood pressure. To do this, it shrinks rhythmically. Normally, the heart rate should fluctuate between 60-100 beats per minute.
Unlike other organs, the heart can work without external control, since the sinus node generates impulses that provoke a contraction of the heart muscle. In the absence of such a command, the muscle fibers of the heart contract in a chaotic manner and completely non-synchronously. As a result of this, the cardiac efficiency decreases sharply and the pulse rate rises to 160-180 per minute. A similar pathological condition is called atrial fibrillation.
The main types of disease
There are 3 different forms of atrial fibrillation, which are determined depending on the duration of the arrhythmia, namely:
- paroxysmal;
- constant;
- chronic
The chronic form persists for a long time and is the main sign of various pathologies of the heart muscle. The paroxysmal form of atrial fibrillation is characterized by the fact that arrhythmia is formed completely suddenly in a completely healthy person. It also passes independently without outside interference for a maximum of a week. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation generally lasts for 24-48 hours, but can only last a few minutes.
Permanent or persistent arrhythmia lasts mainly throughout the week and does not pass spontaneously. A persistent form of atrial fibrillation often requires specialized treatment. If self-recovery of the heart rhythm does not pass after 48 hours or more, drug therapy is required.
Causes of occurrence
The causes of atrial fibrillation can be very different. Among the predisposing factors, it is necessary to distinguish such as:
- cardiosclerosis;
- heart attack and angina pectoris;
- rheumatism;
- heart defects;
- hypertension;
- myocarditis;
- cardiomyopathy.
Among the main factors provoking the occurrence of pathology, there may be idiopathic causes. This group includes all situations where it is not possible to determine the root cause that provokes the occurrence of such a problem. Problems can be triggered by certain medications, as well as stimulants, such as caffeine, alcohol and drugs.
Among the main causes, non-cardiac diseases can be distinguished, in particular, such as:
- thyroid disease;
- obesity;
- diabetes;
- respiratory diseases;
- esophageal hernia.
A paroxysmal form of atrial fibrillation often develops in people who have had an acute form of heart attack. Among the main reasons, sclerosis of the heart muscle can also be distinguished. In some cases, pathology may be associated with pathologies of many other organs.
Main symptoms
Depending on the classification of atrial fibrillation, the symptoms can be very different. In the chronic form of the disorder, the disease can be completely asymptomatic. If signs are present, then they depend largely on the rate of ventricular contraction. If the reduction is up to 120 beats per minute, then the disease is asymptomatic, and higher rates provoke various kinds of signs, however, they are not necessarily present all together. Among the main features can be identified such as:
- heart palpitations;
- severe weakness and fatigue;
- dyspnea;
- irregular and rapid pulse;
- angina pectoris;
- cold sweat;
- sudden loss of consciousness;
- dizziness;
- heart failure.
With a persistent form, the symptoms are not pronounced enough. In this case, there may be signs associated with a violation of cardiac activity.
The tachysystolic form is characterized by rapid contraction of the ventricles. Most often, such a violation manifests itself in the form of a sensation of interruptions in the work of the heart. Symptoms largely depend on the underlying cause of the heart rhythm disturbance. With the occurrence of ischemia, there may be shortness of breath.
Other symptoms include a feeling of fear and sweating. The duration of seizures can be from several hours to several weeks or more. Complaints disappear when the sinus rhythm normalizes.
If fibrillation is very often repeated, then a similar pathology acquires a chronic course. Others rarely have seizures. They can be provoked by various external and internal factors, in particular, such as impaired bowel function, stress, alcohol abuse, a sharp change in climatic conditions.
In especially severe cases, there is a sudden loss of consciousness and fainting. During the next attack, the person blushes very much. Attacks last for several minutes. With a constant course of atrial fibrillation, a person ceases to make any complaints, and he does not even feel a deterioration in well-being.
Such a cardiac pathology can become one of the main causes of very dangerous complications and cardiac arrest is even possible, which is why, when the first signs of a violation occur, it is imperative to carry out a diagnosis and subsequent treatment.
Diagnostics
You need to know not only what causes and signs of the pathology can be, it is important to understand how the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation is carried out. The main diagnostic method is considered electrocardiography. It makes it possible to assess the condition of individual chambers of the heart and the work of the whole organ as a whole. Among other diagnostic methods can be identified such as:
- interrogation of the patient;
- physical examination;
- daily monitoring;
- real-time recording of physical activity;
- echocardiography;
- carrying out various kinds of functional tests with a load;
- Magnetic resonance imaging;
- CT scan.
In some cases, a transesophageal examination is performed. The occurrence of fibrillation can be detected already during the evaluation of the pulse. He becomes disordered. Additionally, the doctor may prescribe a study of the vascular system. For this, coronary angiography is indicated. Laboratory techniques include blood tests.
Treatment
The treatment of atrial fibrillation is predominantly medical. With the occurrence of a constant form of arrhythmia, medications must be taken throughout life. This allows you to maintain a normal rhythm and heart function.
Treatment of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is carried out by conservative methods. In some cases, therapy is carried out in stages. Initially, preparation is required. With fibrillation lasting less than 2 days, heparin-based drugs are used. If the attack lasts for more than 2 days, the drug "Warfarin Nycomed" is used. The drug is prescribed before and after normalization of the heart rhythm.
It is worth noting that all medications have strict indications and contraindications, which is why only a doctor who selects the dosage should prescribe them. The attack is recommended to be stopped in the first 2 days. Restoring the correct heart rate can be electric. In this case, a discharge is passed through a person. Such treatment is carried out only in case of ineffective drug therapy.
In the chronic form of atrial fibrillation, treatment is carried out with the use of anticoagulants, calcium channel blockers, cardiac glycosides, adrenergic blockers. In severe cases, radical treatment is required. The most effective is radio frequency isolation. In some cases, ablation is performed. With complete heart block, patients are shown the installation of a pacemaker. Successfully performed catheter operations.
Drug therapy
Treatment of atrial fibrillation implies the use of drug therapy. Antiarrhythmics are given, in particular, such as Amiodarone or Propafenone. If there is no way to restore a normal heart rhythm, then you need to conduct atrial fibrillation in a norm form. For this, calcium antagonists, beta-blockers, cardiac glycosides and many other drugs are used.
Beta-blockers are prescribed to control the functioning of the heart muscle and blood pressure. They help increase life expectancy in the presence of heart failure. Among the contraindications for the use of these funds, it is necessary to highlight the presence of bronchial asthma.
To reduce the risk of thrombosis, blood thinners are prescribed. In particular, direct-acting anticoagulants, such as Fraxiparin, Heparin, Fondaparinux, and indirect effects, in particular, such as Warfarin, can be prescribed.
In the presence of atrial fibrillation, the doctor's recommendations must be followed very strictly, since various kinds of disturbances can provoke dangerous complications. The complex of therapy implies the normalization of metabolic processes. For this, agents are prescribed that improve metabolic processes and nutrition in the heart muscle. These drugs have a cardioprotective effect.
Folk techniques
There are many different traditional medicine for treating atrial fibrillation, but they can only be used after consulting a doctor. Alternative methods can be used only in combination with drug therapy. A reasonably good result can be obtained by using hawthorn with motherwort and dogrose. Take the finished product 3 times a day before meals.
Yarrow is good for the heart. To do this, thoroughly grind the plant, pour it into a glass bottle and pour alcohol. Tightly close the container and leave in a cool place to insist for a week. Take three times a day. Lemon will help in the treatment. To do this, grind the peel of two fruits and mix in equal proportions with honey. Refrigerate and leave to infuse, and then take the medicine daily at bedtime.
As a remedy, you can use grapefruit. To do this, combine the juice of half of this fruit with 15 ml of olive oil. Thoroughly mix together all the ingredients and immediately accept. For treatment, you can mix figs, raisins, walnuts and honey in equal amounts. You need to take the product twice a day. It is very good for the heart infusion of calendula, which must be taken daily.
Power Features
In addition to the use of medications and folk methods, it is necessary to organize proper nutrition. A competent, balanced diet is not only a good prevention of arrhythmia, but also a very proven way to prevent the progression of the disease. Such microelements as potassium, magnesium, calcium must be present in the diet, since without these substances the heart muscle cannot function normally.
People with fibrillation are advised to consume food in small portions, at least 5 times a day. In addition, it is desirable to minimize fluid intake and eat only warm food. It is recommended to eat as many fresh berries, vegetables and fruits as possible. It is strictly forbidden to consume fatty meat, eggs, caffeinated drinks, fatty, salty, fried, spicy dishes.
Possible complications
Patients with atrial fibrillation need to be very attentive to their health, as they are at risk of heart attack and stroke. The defeat mechanism is characterized by the fact that during the course of atrial fibrillation it is impossible to fully reduce them, which is why blood stagnates in the parietal space and blood clots form.
If such a blood clot with a blood stream enters the aorta and other smaller arteries, then thromboembolism occurs. The cessation of blood supply provokes the development of a heart attack of this organ. The most common complications are:
- thromboembolism and stroke;
- heart failure;
- cardiogenic shock;
- dilated cardiomyopathy.
Atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation can trigger an increase in signs of circulatory failure, including asthma attacks and pulmonary edema. In some cases, fibrillation can lead to a cardiogenic state and cardiac arrest.
Forecast and Prevention
Patients with bouts of fibrillation are much more likely to die from diseases of the cardiovascular system than people without a similar pathology. If vascular thrombosis occurs, the prognosis worsens significantly. Properly selected medication and the installation of a pacemaker can significantly improve the quality of life and increase the duration.
The risks of developing fibrillation can be significantly reduced if timely treatment of diseases of the cardiovascular system, a healthy lifestyle, and exercise sufficient physical activity. In addition, you must definitely control your weight and eat right.