Can hormones be used for atrial fibrillation?

Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
Updated on March 21, 2025
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Patients with atrial fibrillation can use steroids, but in principle, it is best not to use them. This is because the use of steroids can cause excitement of the sympathetic nerves, leading to an increased heart rate, which in turn can trigger an episode of atrial fibrillation and cause uncomfortable heart symptoms, such as palpitations, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing. Of course, atrial fibrillation is not a contraindication for the use of steroids. If the condition requires it, such as during an asthma attack or certain immunological diseases, steroids can be used. When using steroids, it is important to strengthen observation and inform the patient to seek timely medical attention at a hospital if symptoms of an atrial fibrillation episode, such as palpitations or chest tightness, occur.

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Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
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How is atrial fibrillation surgery performed?

Frequent atrial fibrillation attacks with a rapid ventricular rate, in cases unresponsive to drug treatment, can be managed by atrioventricular node ablation followed by the placement of a ventricular demand or dual-chamber pacemaker. Other treatment methods include radiofrequency ablation, surgical operations, and implantation of atrial defibrillators. In recent years, there have been significant advances in the methods for atrial fibrillation ablation, and the indications for atrial fibrillation ablation have been expanded. However, the success rate remains suboptimal and the recurrence rate is relatively high. Currently, international guidelines still categorize radiofrequency ablation as a second-line treatment for atrial fibrillation, not as the first choice treatment.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Can hormones be used for atrial fibrillation?

Patients with atrial fibrillation can use steroids, but in principle, it is best not to use them. This is because the use of steroids can cause excitement of the sympathetic nerves, leading to an increased heart rate, which in turn can trigger an episode of atrial fibrillation and cause uncomfortable heart symptoms, such as palpitations, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing. Of course, atrial fibrillation is not a contraindication for the use of steroids. If the condition requires it, such as during an asthma attack or certain immunological diseases, steroids can be used. When using steroids, it is important to strengthen observation and inform the patient to seek timely medical attention at a hospital if symptoms of an atrial fibrillation episode, such as palpitations or chest tightness, occur.

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Written by Liu Ying
Cardiology
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The difference between premature beats and atrial fibrillation

Premature beats refer to the early discharge of the heart's impulses. Premature beats can be divided into atrial premature beats, ventricular premature beats, and junctional premature beats. Atrial premature beats occur when the impulse is prematurely emitted from the atrium; ventricular premature beats occur when the impulse is prematurely emitted from the ventricles; junctional premature beats occur when the impulse is prematurely emitted from the atrioventricular junction. Atrial fibrillation is characterized by the atria losing their normal pattern of contraction and relaxation, replaced by irregular quivering. Both premature beats and atrial fibrillation are common arrhythmias that can be identified on an electrocardiogram.

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Written by Chen Tian Hua
Cardiology
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What causes atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation most commonly occurs in patients with organic heart disease, such as rheumatic heart disease, coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, cardiomyopathy, constrictive pericarditis, and chronic pulmonary heart disease, etc. It can also be seen in diseases of other systems such as hyperthyroidism, etc. In addition, as age increases, the incidence of atrial fibrillation also increases. Some causes of atrial fibrillation are unknown and may be triggered by emotional stress, physical activity, or heavy drinking. For atrial fibrillation, once an episode occurs, it is important to actively administer appropriate medications to control it, to avoid the adverse consequences of persistent atrial fibrillation.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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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.