A-fib or
Atrial Fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat which can lead to the ticker not
pumping enough oxygenated blood to the rest of the body. People with A-fib can
lead a full and healthy life with proper medical treatment. Making a few
changes can improve your quality of life and help reduce the severity of the
symptoms.
Healthy
Lifestyle Measures:
Besides
receiving regular medical care, there are several steps individuals with A-fib
can take to deal with the condition:
1. Eat a heart-healthy diet, it can be
highly beneficial for people with A-fib. Individuals with the condition should
eat less trans fat and sugar, while increasing their intake of green leafy
vegetables, lean proteins and fiber intake.
2. With appropriate exercise and diet,
maintain a healthy weight which can help.
3. Alcohol intake can have a negative
impact on your ticker so reduce alcohol consumption. People with A-fib should
talk to their doctors before drinking as some people with the condition need to
avoid alcohol altogether.
4. Stress can complicate A-fib so manage
it well. You can reduce your stress levels through exercise, meditation or
other methods.
5. Quitting smoking can improve living
with atrial fibrillation and also lowers further heart and lung risks.
6. Exercise can have a huge impact on
overall health and fitness and increasing and continuing exercise is
particularly important for people with A-fib. Consult your doctor before
beginning any exercise routine to ensure it is safe for you.
Individuals
with A-fib should maintain follow-up care with their healthcare providers so
that proper treatment is continued.
Impact of
A-fib on the Body:
Atrial
fibrillation can have several impacts on the body such as blood clots, heart
problems and shortness of breath. The condition may also lead to a build-up of
fluid in the legs, ankles and feet. Furthermore, one may experience
irritability and tiredness during formerly routine activities apart from
weight-gain, lightheadedness, etc.
Treatment:
When
treating A-fib, doctors typically look at treatments to reset the rhythm of the
heart, control the rate it is beating, and reduce the risks of blood clots. A
doctor looks at a few things such as whether the person has other heart
problems, other medications they are taking, one’s response to earlier treatments,
etc. in determining the way to treat A-fib.
1. Cardioversion
2. Preventive Medication
3. Catheter and surgical procedures (in
cases where medication is not effective)
4. Preventing blood clots (warfarin and
newer anticoagulants are the typically prescribed ones)
Coping
with Atrial Fibrillation:
There are
many treatment options and therapies that can greatly reduce the symptoms or
correct atrial fibrillation which can be attributed to the fact that A-fib is a
commonly diagnosed condition. You can go on to live a normal life with proper
treatment. A person could experience further complications such as a
life-threatening stroke or worsening heart disease if left untreated. The best
ways to prevent complications is by recognizing the signs, being driven enough
to make lifestyle changes and treating the condition.
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