2023-09-21 00:00:00
New Information Evening at Marienhospital Focuses on Atrial Fibrillation
On September 27th, the Marienhospital (MHO) of the Niels Stensen Clinics will be hosting an information evening as part of their “Health in Conversation” series. The focus of this event will be on atrial fibrillation – how it develops, how it can be recognized, and how it can be treated.
The event will feature Prof. Dr. Peter Milberg, PD Dr. Dirk Dechering, and PD Dr. Simon Kochhäuser, who is in charge of the cardiac catheterization laboratory for electrophysiology. They will be discussing the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for atrial fibrillation, as well as answering questions from the audience and internet participants. The information evening will take place at the NOZ media center and will also be streamed live on the internet.
Atrial fibrillation is caused by uncontrolled electrical impulses in the cardiac conduction system, leading to the atria and ventricles becoming unsynchronized. This results in a decreased heart performance and less blood being pumped through the body. There is also a risk of blood clots forming, which can lead to strokes if they reach the brain. If atrial fibrillation occurs frequently or lasts for a long time, it can permanently damage the heart and lead to secondary diseases such as heart failure. It can also become a permanent condition.
While younger individuals, such as competitive athletes or those who consume excessive alcohol, can be affected by atrial fibrillation, it is more common in people aged 65 and over. Previous heart or organ illnesses, high blood pressure, heart valve defects, heart attacks, and heart failure can all trigger atrial fibrillation. Other factors that increase the risk include hyperthyroidism, snoring or nocturnal breathing arrests, diabetes mellitus, obesity, smoking, and frequent alcohol consumption.
Symptoms of atrial fibrillation can include sudden weakness, rapid heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, heart pain, shortness of breath, and anxiety. However, not all cases will exhibit these symptoms. According to the MHO specialists, around 20 percent of those diagnosed with atrial fibrillation do not experience any symptoms. In Germany alone, approximately two million people are already known to have atrial fibrillation, and this number is expected to increase due to the aging population.
A detailed medical examination, including a long-term ECG, is necessary for a reliable diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. While there is no cure for this condition, there are treatment strategies that can alleviate symptoms and reduce the risk of secondary diseases such as strokes. Medication therapy is commonly used, but in many cases, a minimally invasive procedure known as catheter ablation can be performed. This procedure involves destroying a small part of the conductor tracks in the left atrium using electricity, heat, or cold to prevent false impulses.
At the information evening, PD Dr. Dirk Dechering will discuss the causes and prevention of atrial fibrillation, Prof. Dr. Peter Milberg will talk about catheter ablation and drug therapies, and PD Dr. Simon Kochhäuser will explain the anticoagulant medications used in treatments to prevent strokes.
Entry to the event is free, and questions to the doctors can be submitted in advance via email. For more information, visit the Niels Stensen Clinics website.]
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