If you are diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, it means that you have an irregular heartbeat. Left untreated, this condition can lead to major heart problems. While there are numerous ways to treat this common type of heart condition, many doctors recommend using a procedure known as cardioversion. Cardioversion can help correct this problem, which is important if you want to stay as healthy as possible.
What Is Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation affects millions of people and is most common with people who are older. When you have this condition, your heart does not contract and relax as it should, and this stops blood flow from moving properly in your body. This process works by the heart sending electrical impulses, which occur each time the heart beats. These impulses cause the heart to contract, and these contractions push blood through the four chambers of the heart. The blood then gets sent throughout the body.
If anything goes wrong during this process, it typically results in an irregular heartbeat, and this is what leads to atrial fibrillation.
What Are The Risks Of This Condition?
Your heart is a vital organ in your body, and every part of your body relies on it to operate efficiently and normally. When your heart is not functioning properly, you should take this seriously and get help for the problem. Some of the common symptoms of atrial fibrillation include the following:
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
This condition presents a lot of risks that you should take seriously and be aware of. First of all, this condition can cause blood flow issues, and blood flow issues can lead to blood clots forming in the body. Whenever a person has a blood clot, it presents the risk of a stroke occurring. In addition, you may be at risk for developing all other types of heart-related problems, including heart disease and heart attack.
What Treatment Options Are Used For It?
Doctors are able to treat atrial fibrillation in numerous ways, but cardioversion is one of the most common methods used today. This treatment option involves the use of a machine that is placed on the chest so it can deliver a mild form of electrical shock directly to the heart. This machine is able to target the electrical system of the heart and is designed to send electrical impulses to the heart. The purpose of this is to help restore a normal, regular heartbeat to the heart itself.
In most cases, this procedure will occur while you are sedated, and you will typically be able to go home within a few hours after having this test completed. If the surgery is successful for correcting the irregularities of your heart, your risks of developing other health problems will significantly decrease. If it is not successful, you may need to repeat this procedure again in the future.
In addition to having this procedure completed, it is quite common for doctors to prescribe medication to people that have atrial fibrillation. This medication is typically an anti-arrhythmic medication, which is also designed to keep the heart beating at a normal pace and rhythm. This may be something you will have to take for the rest of your life, and it can make a big difference in the way your heart beats and works.
If you want to be as healthy as possible while living with atrial fibrillation, you should talk to your doctor sometime very soon. Getting the right treatment and taking the correct medications could help you avoid the health risks associated with atrial fibrillation. Find our the best heart disease treatments for you and stick strictly to what your doctor says.
