Causes of afib in elderly

What causes atrial fibrillation in the elderly?

What causes AFib ? AFib affects 9% of Americans aged 65+ and occurs when electrical signals in the upper chambers of your heart become chaotic— causing the upper chamber to quiver rather than pump, disrupting its ability to efficiently move blood through its chambers.

How do you treat atrial fibrillation in the elderly?

In the elderly patients, especially the asymptomatic ones, rate control is the first-line therapy. 30 As shown in the AFFIRM substudy, β-blockers are the most effective at achieving that goal. 39 Nondihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (verapamil and diltiazem) can be administered as an alternative.

Can you live a long life with atrial fibrillation?

The good news is that although AF is a long -term condition, if managed correctly, you can continue to lead a long and active life . There are a number of steps you can take that will help you manage your condition, lower your risk of stroke and relieve any worries you may have.

How do you stop a fib episode?

You may be able to keep your heart pumping smoothly for a long time if you: control your blood pressure. manage your cholesterol levels. eat a heart-healthy diet. exercise for 20 minutes most days of the week. quit smoking. maintain a healthy weight. get enough sleep. reduce stress in your life.

What should you not do if you have atrial fibrillation?

Eat for AFib For breakfast, choose whole, high-fiber foods like fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and vegetables. Reduce your salt and sodium intake. Avoid eating too much meat or full-fat dairy, which contains a lot of saturated animal fats.

What are the warning signs of AFib?

The most common symptom: a quivering or fluttering heartbeat General fatigue . Rapid and irregular heartbeat . Fluttering or “thumping” in the chest. Dizziness . Shortness of breath and anxiety. Weakness . Faintness or confusion. Fatigue when exercising.

What are the main causes of atrial fibrillation?

Possible causes of atrial fibrillation include: High blood pressure . Heart attack. Coronary artery disease. Abnormal heart valves. Heart defects you’re born with (congenital) An overactive thyroid gland or other metabolic imbalance. Exposure to stimulants, such as medications, caffeine, tobacco or alcohol.

What are the complications of atrial fibrillation?

Some complications of atrial fibrillation include: Blood clots . With atrial fibrillation, the heart may not be able to pump the blood out properly, causing it to pool and form an abnormal blood clot in the heart. Cognitive impairment and dementia . Heart attack . Heart failure . Stroke . Sudden cardiac arrest.

What would happen if AF was left untreated?

But if it’s left untreated , atrial fibrillation can be serious and even deadly. Serious complications include heart failure and stroke. Medications and lifestyle habits can both help prevent these in people with AFib. A stroke happens as a result of a blood clot in the brain.

Does laying down make AFib worse?

A: It is not uncommon for atrial fibrillation ( AFib ) to occur at night. The nerves that control the heart rate typically are in sleep mode, and resting heart rate drops. Under these conditions, pacemaker activity from areas other than the normal pacemaker in the heart can trigger the onset of AFib .

How can I naturally get rid of AFib?

Natural and Alternative Treatments for AFib Avoid stimulants. Get your nutrients. Stay hydrated. Supplements. Cut out gluten. Exercise and stress relief. Takeaway. Q&A.

Does rest help atrial fibrillation?

Although it may surprise you, for some people, getting good sleep can go a long way to lessen the AFib burden and reduce the number of atrial fibrillation flare ups you have.

What is the drug of choice for atrial fibrillation?

Drug choices for rate control include beta-blockers , verapamil and diltiazem, and digitalis as first-line agents, with consideration of other sympatholytics, amiodarone , or nonpharmacologic approaches in resistant cases.

How do you fix atrial fibrillation?

Ideally, to treat atrial fibrillation , the heart rate and rhythm are reset to normal. To correct your condition, doctors may be able to reset your heart to its regular rhythm (sinus rhythm) using a procedure called cardioversion, depending on the underlying cause of atrial fibrillation and how long you’ve had it.

What side should you sleep on if you have AFib?

They recommend sleeping specifically on the left side . This is the best position for blood flow and breathing while sleeping .