Atrial fibrillation, also known as atrial fibrillation, is a common arrhythmia that increases in incidence with age. Clinically, it can contribute to heart failure and cause cerebral infarction, and 1/3 of ischemic cerebral infarction in the elderly is due to atrial fibrillation. And brain infarction caused by atrial fibrillation has been a fatal killer for middle-aged and elderly people.
When atrial fibrillation occurs in patients, the volume of cardiac blood displacement will be reduced by 1/4L~2 in mild cases and up to 30% in severe cases, and, if accompanied by ventricular function impairment, atrial fibrillation can induce or aggravate heart failure and cause pulmonary edema or myocardial ischemia. Especially serious is that, due to atrial fibrillation, the atria lose contraction ability, resulting in poor blood flow and stagnation in the left atrium, and under the activation of coagulation factors, red blood cells are easy to gather and combine with the fibrinogen in the plasma, which can easily form thrombus. The dislodged embolus can enter the human circulatory arteries and run around with the blood, such as blocking the brain vessels or peripheral blood vessels, causing embolic disease. Atrial fibrillation is an independent risk factor for ischemic stroke, especially for people with heart valve disease such as wind heart disease, the embolus dislodged due to atrial fibrillation is more likely to induce cerebral infarction.
Atrial fibrillation is so dangerous that patients should be actively treated for this disease. The goal of treating atrial fibrillation is to convert it to sinus rhythm and prevent recurrence; to control the ventricular rate below 100 beats per minute.
Prevention of thromboembolic complications are the following.
1, the ventricular rate is not fast without heart failure and the symptoms are not obvious, no special treatment is needed, only treatment for the cause.
2, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation episodes with fast ventricular rate and obvious symptoms, or induced pulmonary edema, or heart failure can be treated with anti-heart failure and anti-arrhythmic therapy.
3, persistent atrial fibrillation with indications for resuscitation can take drug resuscitation, mainly with quinidine; synchronous direct current resuscitation; radiofrequency ablation catheterization.
Note: Radiofrequency ablation catheter therapy is currently the only method that can effectively cure chronic atrial fibrillation. Patients with atrial fibrillation often require antithrombotic and anticoagulant therapy, with the main drugs being warfarin and aspirin, to be taken under medical supervision.
In addition to treatment, patients with atrial fibrillation should also actively take good care of themselves in life, and the specific care is as follows.
1, active treatment of the original disease
Patients with atrial fibrillation should frequently observe their heart rate and blood pressure, and observe changes in heart rhythm. If there is a sudden appearance of rapid or slow heart rate or irregularity, or if there are obvious palpitations, shortness of breath, discomfort in the precordial region and a drop in blood pressure, they should be detected in time and immediately go to the hospital for consultation.
2.Review regularly
The ECG should be reviewed regularly during the drug taking period, and its adverse reactions should be paid close attention. If there is discomfort, dizziness, slurred speech, chest tightness, inability to lie down, etc., you should be alert to the possibility of thrombus dislodgement causing embolism and heart failure, and go to the hospital for examination and early treatment. Cautiously apply drugs containing irritating ingredients, such as certain cough or cold medicines, and seek medical advice when needed.
3. Pay attention to rest
Pay attention to rest, you can carry out physical activities with little burden on your heart, keep your body healthy, prevent colds, and at the same time avoid thrombus dislodgement. Keep the environment quiet, especially for patients with severe arrhythmia, the stimulation of noisy sound can aggravate the disease.
4, more vitamins, protein
Eat more food rich in protein and vitamins, such as lean meat, fish and shrimp, eggs, milk, etc.; eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, such as cabbage, green vegetables, tomatoes, citrus, apples, bananas, lemons, etc.
5.Avoid stimulating food
Avoid spicy and irritating food, such as onion and ginger, curry, chili, etc. If the patient has poor heart function and obvious swelling, the sodium intake should be limited to less than 5g per day, quit smoking and limit alcohol, and try not to use caffeinated beverages such as tea, cola and coffee.
6.Keep a good mood
Avoid mental stimulation such as joy, anger, worry and thought, and be good at doing patients’ mental work so that they can cooperate with treatment to facilitate recovery.