The direct component of the excellent work of the heart is considered an even 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 result, the ventricles contract and expand nonuniformly. Violation of the normal heart rhythm can be dangerous, since in this case the likelihood of a stroke increases. In this article we will tell you what symptoms are associated with atrial fibrillation of the heart, what it is and what modern treatment methods are.
general information
Normal heart rhythm is a whole chain of contractions of various parts of the main muscle of the human body. The atria are initially contracted, and then the ventricles follow. In the case of atrial fibrillation, the atria lose the ability to fully contract. Instead, they randomly twitch, that is, fibrillate. That is why in the specialized literature you can find another name for such a pathology - atrial fibrillation.
Over the years, such a disease is diagnosed more often. For example, in 40-50 years, approximately 1% of the population confirms fibrillation. However, by the age of 60, these indicators are increasing, pathology is already diagnosed in 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 often occurs sclerosis of the coronary arteries and heart walls. Moreover, ischemic disease often develops.
Atrial heart arrhythmia : what is it and what are the causes of pathology
The main reason for the development of atrial fibrillation is the malfunction of the so-called conducting system of the heart, in which there is a change in the order of contraction of some heart fibers. The development of such a pathology is facilitated by many factors. Specialists distinguish between cardiological and non-cardiological causes of arrhythmia. The first group includes pathologies of the heart and even blood vessels, which in young people are mainly associated with valvular defects, and in the elderly, with diseases such as:
- Ischemic heart disease.
- Cardiosclerosis
- Myocardial infarction.
- Hypertension.
- Tachycardia.
Non-cardiological reasons include the following:
- Diseases of the endocrine system.
- Frequent stresses.
- Intoxication of the body with certain drugs and alcohol.
- Diabetes.
- Viral infections.
- Severe obesity.
In medical practice, there are cases when the pathology arose for no apparent reason. Experts suggest that in this situation it is hereditary in nature, due to gene mutations.
Clinical picture
Complaints from patients with such a diagnosis can vary greatly. Symptoms of atrial cardiac arrhythmias, or rather, their severity, depend on the degree of hemodynamic impairment, 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 signs by which we can judge that a person is really unwell.
- Pain Discomfort can be felt both in the region of the heart and simply in the chest. This does not have to be severe pain. Sometimes a person “grabs”, and then after a few seconds “releases”. Some patients note the appearance of sensations, as if a nerve pinched. Most people do not pay due attention to such a symptom, taking it simply for discomfort due to fatigue or stress.
- Cardiopalmus.
- Shortness of breath and excessive sweating. These are fairly common symptoms of atrial fibrillation . The patient feels shortness of breath after a slight physical exertion, and sweating can even occur by itself, even in a calm state.
- Muscle weakness.
- Frequent urination. This symptom is more common in older people.
- Feeling of fear or panic. If a person begins to sweat and gasp for no apparent reason, he will instinctively panic.
- Fainting and dizziness. These signs indicate that the person is really sick and he needs qualified help from a specialist.
Forms of pathology
Based on the nature of the course of the disease? distinguish:
- Paroxysmal form. Attacks of ailment occur with a small frequency, last no more than two days, pass most often on their own.
- Persistent form. Attacks last more than seven days, pass only after taking medications.
- Chronic form.
The following options are distinguished by heart rate:
- Normosystolic (heart rate 60-90 strokes).
- Tachysystolic (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 cardiac arrhythmia. What is this, we have already said, now it's time to talk about the main diagnostic methods.
If you suspect this disease, the doctor, as a rule, prescribes the following measures:
- ECG in twelve leads.
- General analysis of urine / blood to identify concomitant pathologies.
- A hormonal profile is necessary to exclude thyroid pathologies.
- Load test. Such a study allows you to diagnose cardiac ischemia, as well as monitor therapy for the chronic variant of arrhythmia.
- Roentgenogram.
- HMECG.
Drug 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 heart rhythm disturbance.
The quality of treatment is determined solely by the degree of achievement of such goals:
- Sinus rhythm restoration.
- Prevention of new attacks in the future.
- Heart rate control.
- Thrombosis prophylaxis to prevent complications.
To prevent attacks, prophylactic antiarrhythmic drugs are prescribed (Amiodarone, Dofetilide, Propafenone). The choice of a specific medicine for atrial fibrillation is carried out by a cardiologist based on the cause of the pathology, its type and the presence of concomitant diseases.
To stop the attacks of tachycardia with a persistent form, antiarrhythmic drugs are also used, which are administered intravenously, and the so-called electric cardioversion. The latter implies the use of low voltage electrical pulses to restore the usual rhythm. This procedure is carried out in the intensive care unit.
In the chronic form of fibrillation, as a rule, constant monitoring of heart rate is required in the range from 60 to approximately 90 beats per minute. In this case, it is recommended to take beta-blockers (Propranolol, Metoprolol), cardiac glycosides (Digoxin) and slow calcium channel antagonists (Diltiazem, Verapamil).
With a high risk of blood clots in all forms of pathology, anticoagulants are prescribed.
When is surgery necessary?
Surgical treatment is recommended if drug therapy and pills used for atrial fibrillation do not help. In medical practice, the following methods are used today:
- Radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation sources. During this procedure, the doctor leads the conductor directly to the heart through the femoral vessels. A radio frequency pulse is fed through it, which eliminates the probable sources of arrhythmia.
- Radiofrequency ablation of the atrioventricular site with mandatory implantation of a pacemaker. This method has to be resorted to most often with a diagnosis of atrial cardiac arrhythmia. What it is? It is necessary to resort to the help of such a procedure in the case when drug therapy is ineffective, that is, after taking medications it is impossible to normalize heart rate. The radiofrequency pulse directly destroys the atrioventricular node itself, while a pacemaker is installed, which delivers an electrical impulse to the heart, creating an artificially normal rhythm.
- Installation of an atrial cardioverter defibrillator. This is a special device that is sutured subcutaneously into the upper chest. An electrode goes from him directly to the heart. Such a device allows you to immediately stop the attack that occurs with such a pathology 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. With this operation, a simultaneous effect on possible sources of atrial fibrillation occurs.
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 for atrial fibrillation. Of course, changing the usual diet can not overcome the disease itself, however, this 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 that should be discarded first.
- Alcohol This is the most common cause of arrhythmia. Even if a person has minor heart problems, alcohol will have to be abandoned.
- Fatty and smoked foods. Such food often provokes the appearance of cholesterol plaques. Experts strongly recommend abandoning it even to absolutely healthy people.
- Spices . Spicy spices negatively affect the heart. Doctors advise replacing them with a softer version for a while.
- Salt and sugar. Salt promotes fluid retention in the body, which is very bad for excellent heart function. In addition, shortness of breath and excessive sweating may occur. Be careful with sweets. A large amount of sugar in the diet and abnormal nutrition often cause diabetes and other diseases.
What can I eat? A diet with atrial fibrillation of the heart involves the inclusion in the diet of lean meat and fish, a large number of vegetables and fruits, dairy products. It is better to cook food for a couple or bake in the oven. There should be at least 4-5 meals per day.
Diet does not imply a strict reduction in diet. It is important to eat in moderation and give preference to healthy foods. Only in this case can we hope for a quick recovery and the absence of serious complications.
Help traditional medicine
How to treat atrial fibrillation with folk methods? To resort to the help of alternative medicine with a complete replacement of the drug option is not recommended. Herbal preparations and medicinal infusions are appropriate only as an auxiliary measure.
Often, flickering is one of the manifestations of quite serious cardiopathologies (cardiosclerosis, defects). 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 on their own if, in practice, progress in its treatment can be achieved. Below we list the most common recipes of traditional medicine.
- Walnuts with honey. 100 g of walnuts must be chopped in a blender. Add 0.5 l of honey to the resulting mixture and mix gently. This mixture is recommended to be consumed daily in a tablespoon for one month.
- Onion and applesauce. Symptoms of the disease are significantly reduced if you eat special mashed potatoes daily. To prepare it, you will need to chop onions and one apple. Such a medicine should be taken twice a day on an empty stomach.
- Potato juice helps with arrhythmias. Within 14 days, it is recommended to drink half a glass of such juice. Then you should take a break for about one month, and then continue the course of treatment.
Possible complications
This heart disease itself, atrial fibrillation, is not as dangerous as its possible complications. One of the most common is recognized as the so-called cardioembolic stroke. This kind of pathology occurs against the background of the chaotic work of the atria, as a result of which the blood simply does not have time to expel from them. As a result, it stagnates and blood clots form. After a short period of time, blood clots can enter the vessels and penetrate into absolutely any organ through them. The most serious is the penetration of a blood clot into the brain, which often ends in a stroke.
Why is atrial fibrillation dangerous ? 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 entails a sharp decrease in pressure. In this condition, the main muscle of the body cannot fully supply all tissues and organs with blood, which leads to irreversible processes in them.
Prevention
Prevention first of all implies timely treatment of all diseases that can provoke significant cardiac abnormalities. It is also recommended to minimize the impact of negative factors on the human body. These include the following: smoking, stress, alcohol consumption, constant physical stress.
Experts advise a complete review of nutrition. With atrial fibrillation, the diet should be based on low-fat foods and mainly plant foods. Attacks of interruptions can provoke drinks such as coffee, alcohol, strong tea. Taking into account the fact that a change in electrolyte metabolism can contribute to heart rhythm problems, experts recommend enriching the diet with foods rich in potassium and magnesium (honey, walnuts, zucchini, dried apricots).
Prevention of the disease also implies moderate physical activity: morning exercises, skiing in the winter, walking in the park, swimming.
Where possible, physical and emotional stress should be avoided. Auto-training also helps to achieve inner peace. To eliminate excessive excitement in stressful situations, sedatives can be taken on the recommendation of a doctor. For good health, you must sleep at least eight hours a day.
It is very important to control the body mass index, glucose and cholesterol levels in the blood.
Conclusion
This article provides information on the topic "Atrial cardiac arrhythmia: symptoms, treatment, prevention." Unfortunately, every year such a pathology is diagnosed more and more often. Timely confirmation of the diagnosis and appropriate therapy can minimize the likelihood of developing negative consequences. Be healthy!