6 myths worth cutting and pasting, Thomas!

Myth #1: If you have just one or two episodes of atrial fibrillation, it probably wont come back.

Fact: Atrial fibrillation is almost always a chronic disease. Lifelong treatment is needed to minimize symptoms and to avoid stroke and heart failure. Early on, episodes of A-fib tend to be sporadic. This is called paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. Over time, episodes usually become more frequent and last longer. Up to 30 percent of A-fib episodes cause no symptoms at all, but treatment is still needed to prevent stroke.

Myth #2: Cardioversion can stop atrial fibrillation for good.

Fact: Electrical cardioversion can shock the heart back to normal rhythm, but it does not guarantee that normal rhythm will be maintained. Medication may be needed to maintain normal heart rhythm and prevent stroke. One to three types of medication are used in combination: those that control heart rate, such as beta blockers; anti-arrhythmic drugs to maintain normal rhythm; and anticoagulants to prevent blood clots, says Dr. Saliba.

Myth #3: Your medicine isnt working if you still get episodes of A-fib.

Fact: Medication will not cure A-fib, but it will relieve symptoms by decreasing the frequency and duration of episodes, says Dr. Saliba. Reducing a patients episodes from frequent to occasional is considered adequate treatment as long as the symptoms dont trouble the patient. However, medications tend to become less effective over time, he notes. When that happens, catheter ablation is more likely to help.

Myth #4: Catheter ablation wont help you if it doesnt take the first time.

Fact: Catheter ablation uses radiofrequency energy or cryoenergy (intense cold) to interrupt faulty electrical pathways in the heart. Sometimes more than one catheter ablation procedure is needed to get the best result. The cure rate of 70 to 80 percent after one catheter ablation goes up to 90 percent after a second or third one if there is no underlying heart disease. When A-fib is chronic or when there is underlying heart disease and the hearts upper filling chambers (atria) are severely enlarged, maze surgery may be recommended.

Myth #5: If ablation works, you can stop taking Coumadin.

Fact: The decision to continue or stop Coumadin, an anticoagulant that requires frequent blood tests, depends upon the risk factors for stroke rather than on the success of the ablation, says Dr. Saliba. Doctors calculate stroke risk in patients with A-fib using a formula called the CHADS2 score, based on the following risk factors:
Congestive heart failure
Hypertension
Age over 75
Diabetes
A past stroke

Myth #6: If you take medication for A-fib and no longer have symptoms, youre cured.

Fact: A-fib cannot be cured, but ablation or surgery offers the closest possible symptom relief. There is no rush to undergo ablation if you are doing well on medication, says Dr. Saliba. Ablation is safe even for patients in their 60s and 70s.

Episodes of A-fib can be triggered by stress, exercise, sleep apnea and hot flashes. Talk to your cardiologist about any concerns. Meanwhile, to minimize symptoms of A-fib and to improve heart health, Dr. Saliba advises patients to:
Quit smoking
Drink in moderation
Ask about exercise guidelines
Limit caffeine use
Read labels on cough and cold medicines to avoid those containing stimulants
Seek treatment for sleep apnea

petey

THanks, Surfrat and the cutting and pasting, Petey. very useful info!

Thank you it's always good to reveiw this info as a reminder. There are other triggers too. Too many.