What should I do if my heart rate is too fast when I’m sick?

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) may occur if the heart rate is too fast when you are sick, and requires medication or surgery, as well as active anticoagulation, treatment of the primary disease and avoidance of triggers. Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation refers to an attack in which the electrical activity of the atria is replaced by rapid and disorderly fibrillation waves, and the duration of the attack is usually less than 48 hours, which can be terminated on its own. Atrial fibrillation episodes are characterized by extremely irregular heart rhythms, and common clinical symptoms include palpitations, chest tightness and shortness of breath, dizziness, and fatigue, etc. Atrial thrombosis may also occur, and thrombus dislodgement can cause embolism in various organs. There are 5 main aspects of treatment: 1. Pharmacological treatment: rhythm-restoring drugs, commonly used drugs are amiodarone, propafenone, etc.; drugs to control ventricular rate, such as beta-blockers (metoprolol, atenolol), calcium channel blockers (verapamil, diltiazem), digitalis (mauve glycoside C, digoxin). 2. Surgical treatments: These include cardiac catheterized radiofrequency ablation and surgical labyrinthine procedures, which can be used to cure atrial fibrillation. 3. Anticoagulation therapy: used to prevent thrombosis, commonly used warfarin, rivaroxaban, dabigatran and so on. 4. Treatment of primary causes: treat the primary causes of atrial fibrillation, including hypertension, coronary heart disease, myocarditis, cardiomyopathy, heart valve disease and so on. 5. Avoid triggers: Rest, exercise, stop smoking and drinking, and avoid excessive emotion. When patients suspect atrial fibrillation, they must go to the hospital as soon as possible, undergo relevant examinations to clarify the diagnosis, and then start treatment as soon as possible according to the condition, so as not to delay the condition.