What symptoms should be highly suspected in patients with atrial fibrillation who have combined heart failure? Dr. Chu Huimin: If a patient with atrial fibrillation has symptoms that are aggravated after activity, such as a decrease in activity tolerance, or if he used to be able to climb three or four floors without chest tightness and shortness of breath, but now he can only climb two floors, this suggests a possible combination of cardiac impairment. In addition, if the patient is usually able to lie flat, but now feels tightness in the chest when lying down, this suggests that there may be a manifestation of heart failure. In addition, if the patient has symptoms such as swelling of both lower extremities, the patient should also be highly alert to the appearance of heart failure. What tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis of heart failure? Dr. Huimin Chu: A heart ultrasound is usually needed to detect the presence of cardiac insufficiency. Of course, we can also evaluate the initial assessment of heart failure by observing the patient’s activity and symptomatic performance, etc. through the New York Heart Function Classification. (Remarks) Grade I: Patients with heart disease, but the amount of daily activity is not limited, and general physical activity does not cause excessive fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath or angina. Class II: Patients with heart disease have mildly restricted physical activity. No conscious symptoms at rest, general physical activity causing excessive fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath or angina pectoris. Class III: Patients with heart disease such that physical activity is significantly limited. No symptoms at rest, but less than general physical activity can cause excessive fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath or angina pectoris. Class IV: Patients with heart disease cannot engage in any physical activity, and symptoms of heart failure appear even at rest and worsen after physical activity. What are the current treatment methods for heart failure? Dr. Huimin Chu: So far, most heart failure patients are still treated with medications. Commonly used drugs include beta-blockers, ACEI drugs, cardiotonic agents, diuretics, etc. All these drugs have certain therapeutic effects and are suitable for different treatment periods of heart failure. In addition, device implantation therapy – cardiac contraction resynchronization therapy (CRT) – can be used to restore the synchronization of the contractile function of the right and left ventricles (currently it is mainly used in patients with sinus rhythm). However, not all patients will completely improve after these treatments. If medication is chosen, does the patient need to take the medication for life? Dr. Huimin Chu: In terms of medication, most patients need to take medication for the rest of their lives, but different medications are taken for different periods of heart failure development.