By…Dr. Pariwat Pengkaew, cardiologist specializing in cardiac physiology, Vejthani Hospital
Tired easily, heart palpitations due to rapid heartbeat may be at risk for AF, the most common type of arrhythmia Especially in other heart disease patients and also increases the risk of complications from cerebral clots up to 5 times.
Atrial Fibrillation or A-Fib (AF) is an abnormal contraction of the heart’s upper chambers. Causing the heart to beat fast and irregularly, the heart pumps less blood to different parts of the body. Without proper treatment, it can lead to a heart attack risk. Including the risk of a blood clot falling off to clog the cerebral arteries 5 times higher than the average person due to the residual blood in the atrial fibrillation
Atrial fibrillation is the most severe and common abnormality of the atrial electrical system of arrhythmias. which can cause patients to have an irregular heart rate of more than 350 beats per minute, often found in the elderly This may be caused by the deterioration of the heart’s electrical system. or in patients with cardiovascular disease such as valvular heart disease leaky heart valve disease abnormal heart muscle disease pericarditis congenital heart disease In addition, it can be found in patients with lung disease, emphysema, infection in the bloodstream, cerebral ischemia, thyroid gland poisoning, etc.
The type of atrial fibrillation is divided into 5 types as follows:
• First diagnosed atrial fibrillation is an atrial fibrillation in the early stages.
• Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is an arrhythmia that develops and returns to a normal rhythm within 24 hours, intermittently within a week.
• Persistent atrial fibrillation is atrial fibrillation that lasts more than 1 week to 1 year and can be restored with medication or defibrillation.
• Long standing persistent atrial fibrillation is atrial fibrillation that continues for more than 1 year in which physicians and patients decide to restore normal heart beat with either an electrical shock or medication.
• Permanent atrial fibrillation is an atrial fibrillation that continues for more than a year when the doctor and patient decide not to try to restore it to normal.
Symptoms of AF often start with fatigue, palpitations, uneven rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, fainting, dizziness, decreased activity, fainting, but early symptoms may only last for a short period of time. come and go, with symptoms becoming more or more frequent as the disease progresses
If not promptly treated, the risk of complications from cerebral clots is 5 times higher than that of normal people, since the upper chambers of the heart are responsible for directly supplying blood to the brain. and three times the risk of heart failure compared to normal people
Diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias The doctor will make a diagnosis by taking a history, physical examination, and electrocardiogram. (Electrocardiogram: EKG) 24-hour portable electrocardiogram (24 hour Holter Monitoring) or may need to use an electrocardiogram with cardiac catheterization. (Electrophysiologic study), which method to check depends on the type and frequency of the patient’s symptoms.
For the treatment of arrhythmia AF in mild cases Your doctor may recommend taking medications to control the electrical discharges of your heart’s electrical system. Or take heart control and fibrinolytic drugs to prevent complications. which must be eaten for life
But in severe cases or do not want to take the drug for the rest of your life. The doctor will treat with therapeutic technology with catheterization and electrocardiographic ablation (EP study with Radiofrequency ablation) by electrifying radiofrequency at the problem area. which has a 90% chance of complete cure in patients with recent history and normal heart structure In this way, patients do not need to take medication for the rest of their lives.