What medicine is used for atrial fibrillation?

Written by Tang Li

Cardiology

Updated on September 29, 2024

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The current medications for atrial fibrillation mainly include three types: the first type controls the ventricular rate, which ensures the basic function of the patient's heart and minimizes the cardiac dysfunction caused by atrial fibrillation. This includes drugs such as receptor blockers and calcium channel antagonists, digoxin, amiodarone, and others. The second type of drugs are those used for cardioversion. The third type of drugs are those used to prevent embolism, which are anticoagulants. Currently, the main drugs include warfarin, new anticoagulants such as dabigatran and rivaroxaban, and intravenous medications like low molecular weight heparin calcium and nadroparin.

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Written by Li Hai Wen

Cardiology

57sec

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Can elderly people with atrial fibrillation take calcium tablets?

Elderly patients with atrial fibrillation can take calcium supplements if their condition requires it, such as those with osteoporosis. Generally, taking calcium supplements does not affect atrial fibrillation nor does it impact the effectiveness of the medications treating atrial fibrillation. However, calcium supplements themselves do not have an effect on atrial fibrillation and cannot reduce the occurrences of atrial fibrillation episodes. When atrial fibrillation occurs repeatedly, it is necessary to take anticoagulant medications under the guidance of a doctor, such as warfarin or the newer oral anticoagulant medication rivaroxaban, to prevent the formation of blood clots and avoid complications caused by clots from atrial fibrillation. Additionally, if the heart rate is fast, it is appropriate to take medications that control heart rate to improve symptoms.

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Written by Chen Ya

Geriatrics

1min 37sec

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Is heart palpitation the same as atrial fibrillation?

Palpitations are considered a disease term in Chinese medicine, while atrial fibrillation is a medical term in Western medicine. Generally, if there is a correlation between Chinese and Western medical terminology, palpitations can correspond to atrial fibrillation, but not all cases of palpitations are atrial fibrillation. In Chinese medicine, palpitations refer to a subjective feeling of unease or discomfort in the chest, and a feeling of irregular heartbeats. For example, some people may feel their heartbeat distinctly even when their heart rate is not fast, especially when their blood pressure is high; this is also considered palpitations. Additionally, some people may experience a rapid "thumping" heart rate after physical exertion or when they have a fever, which is also a manifestation of palpitations. There are also healthy, sensitive young individuals who can feel their heartbeat while lying down quietly or during sleep, which is also classified as palpitations. However, palpitations that are caused by heart arrhythmias, like atrial fibrillation, where individuals can feel their heart beating rapidly and experience anxiety, are specifically indicative of atrial fibrillation; other types are not considered the same.

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Written by Li Hai Wen

Cardiology

53sec

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Can atrial fibrillation lead to sudden death?

Atrial fibrillation is a very common arrhythmia in our daily lives, but does it lead to sudden death after its onset? Generally speaking, atrial fibrillation does not cause sudden death, but this does not mean that atrial fibrillation is safe. Atrial fibrillation often poses the following risks: Firstly, it causes symptoms; repeated episodes of atrial fibrillation can cause symptoms such as palpitations and chest tightness in patients. Secondly, it triggers heart failure; acute episodes of atrial fibrillation are often a significant cause of heart failure, which necessitates hospital treatment for many patients. Thirdly, it leads to complications from blood clots, which is one of the most severe yet common complications of atrial fibrillation, leaving sequelae such as weakness in walking or hemiplegia on one side of the body.

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Written by Tang Li

Cardiology

50sec

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What medicine is used for atrial fibrillation?

The current medications for atrial fibrillation mainly include three types: the first type controls the ventricular rate, which ensures the basic function of the patient's heart and minimizes the cardiac dysfunction caused by atrial fibrillation. This includes drugs such as receptor blockers and calcium channel antagonists, digoxin, amiodarone, and others. The second type of drugs are those used for cardioversion. The third type of drugs are those used to prevent embolism, which are anticoagulants. Currently, the main drugs include warfarin, new anticoagulants such as dabigatran and rivaroxaban, and intravenous medications like low molecular weight heparin calcium and nadroparin.

home-news-image

Written by Li Hai Wen

Cardiology

1min 5sec

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Can atrial fibrillation be cured?

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia in daily life. Many patients often ask their doctors after being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, "Can my atrial fibrillation be cured?" The answer is affirmative. With the advancement of medical technology, some patients can be completely cured of atrial fibrillation, which needs to be analyzed and judged based on the treatment methods for atrial fibrillation. First, medication treatment, which is currently the mainstream method for treating atrial fibrillation. Most patients use medication treatment, but it cannot effectively cure atrial fibrillation. Second, radiofrequency ablation treatment, which is a minimally invasive means of treating atrial fibrillation. This technology has become very mature, and many patients have achieved complete cure of atrial fibrillation through radiofrequency ablation treatment. Third, surgical treatment, where a portion of the patients undergo a Maze procedure during surgery, which can also achieve the purpose of curing atrial fibrillation.