Substances and medications may also have an effect, including:ĭehydration may also influence AFib events.Īn overall healthy lifestyle may decrease your risk of AFib, but not all causes are preventable.

pericarditis, which is inflammation of the sac-like covering of the heart.

congenital heart defects, meaning heart defects you’re born with.hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, in which the heart muscle becomes thick.In some cases, otherwise healthy bodily fluctuations may lead to AFib.įor example, a 2017 study noted that the use of estrogen monotherapy during menopause may increase risk of AFib.Ĭonditions that can cause damage to the heart and lead to atrial fibrillation include: It can also make your body tenser and even lead to changes in the speed of your heartbeat. Stress makes abnormal electrical activity in the heart more likely to occur. One major factor is stress, including physical and mental or emotional. The cause of atrial fibrillation isn’t always known.

In atrial fibrillation, the atria and ventricles are out of sync because the atria contract very quickly and irregularly. Normally, the atria and ventricles contract at the same speed. The heart contains four chambers: two atria and two ventricles.Ītrial fibrillation happens when these chambers don’t work together as they should because of faulty electrical signaling. Depending on your condition, a doctor may recommend multiple AFib medications. These medications can also prevent possible blood clots in the future, as well as related complications such as heart attack and stroke. Generally, the purpose of taking medications for AFib is to normalize your heart rate and promote better heart function overall. They include rivaroxaban (Xarelto) and apixaban (Eliquis). Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are the preferred blood thinners for AFib. blood thinners to prevent blood clots from forming.digitalis glycosides to strengthen your heart contractions.sodium or potassium channel blockers to control heart rhythm.calcium channel blockers to relax arterial muscles and decrease overall heart rate.beta-blockers to decrease your heart rate.If you do require treatment, a doctor may recommend the following types of medications: You might not need treatment if you don’t have symptoms, if you don’t have other heart problems, or if the atrial fibrillation stops on its own. It’s also possible to not experience any symptoms at all. Tell a doctor about any symptoms you’re experiencing, especially if there’s a change. Symptoms that continue over several days could indicate chronic AFib.

Overall, you might experience symptoms of AFib for several minutes or hours at a time. But you may need to take medication to prevent future episodes and potential complications. These symptoms can come and go based on the severity of your condition.įor example, paroxysmal AFib is a type of atrial fibrillation that resolves on its own without medical intervention. Some common symptoms of atrial fibrillation include: These sensations are known as palpitations. You may also have the sensation that your heart is skipping a beat, fluttering, or beating too hard. If your heart rate climbs higher or drops lower, this may be a sign of an irregular heartbeat. The average heart rate for a healthy person over age 10 is between 60 and 100 beats per minute. What’s the difference between a healthy and irregular heartbeat? An irregular heartbeat may be too fast, too slow, or inconsistent.

Flutter in chest not heart