Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): Atrial fibrillation (AFib) describes a rapid, irregular heart rhythm. The irregular rhythm, or arrhythmia, results from abnormal electrical impulses in the heart. Atrial fibrillation may be treated with medications or surgery. There are many causes of atrial fibrillation, for example, pneumonia, heart disease, alcohol use, and thyroid problems. Symptoms of atrial fibrillation include chest pain and/or angina, nausea, dizziness, and heart palpitations. Atrial fibrillation is managed and treated with medication, medical procedures, and surgery.
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Expert Views and News
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Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Topic Guide - Visuals
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Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Topic Guide - Medications and Vitamins
Medications:
DronedaroneDronedarone is a heart rhythm medicine that helps maintain normal heartbeats in certain people with life-threatening rhythm disorders of the atrium (the uppe...learn more »
RivaroxabanRivaroxaban is used to treat or prevent blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) or in the lungs (pulmonary embolism). These types of blood clots can ...learn more »
DabigatranDabigatran is used to lower the risk of stroke caused by a blood clot in people with a heart rhythm disorder called atrial fibrillation. This medicine is us...learn more »
IbutilideIbutilide is an anti-arrhythmic heart medication that corrects certain conditions of irregular heart rhythm...learn more »
SotalolSotalol is a beta-blocker that affects the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins)...learn more »
PropafenonePropafenone is a Class IC anti-arrhythmic that affects the way your heart beats...learn more »
FlecainideFlecainide is a Class IC anti-arrhythmic that is used in certain situations to prevent serious heart rhythm disorders...learn more »
EsmololEsmolol is a beta-blocker that is used to help keep the heart beating normally in people with certain heart rhythm disorders of the atrium (the upper chamber...learn more »
Digoxin (oral)Digoxin is derived from the leaves of a digitalis plant and is used to treat heart failure.
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MetoprololMetoprolol is a beta-blocker that affects the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins)...learn more »
Verapamil (oral)Verapamil is a calcium channel blocker. It works by relaxing the muscles of your heart and blood vessels...learn more »
DiltiazemDiltiazem is a calcium channel blocker that is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) or angina (chest pain)...learn more »
PropranololPropranolol is a beta-blocker. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins)...learn more »
QuinidineQuinidine is used to help keep the heart beating normally in people with certain heart rhythm disorders, usually after other treatments have failed. Quin...
learn more »Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Topic Guide – Related Topics
Related Topics:
Transient Ischemic Attack (Mini-Stroke)
A transient ischemic attack (TIA), or mini-stroke, is often a warning sign of a future learn more »
Fainting
Fainting or syncope, is a temporary loss of consciousness. Causes of fainting include vasovagal, situational, postural, cardiac, neurologic, and psychogenic. ...learn more »
Chest X-Ray
Chest X-ray is a common procedure ordered to diagnose certain diseases and conditions such as pneumonia, congestive heart failure, emphysema, lung masses or ...
learn more »
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Complete blood count (CBC) is one of the most common blood tests. The complete blood count test provides valuable information about the quantity of the differen...learn more »
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
An electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG) is a tool used to assist in diagnosing heart diseases and conditions, for example, atrial and ventricular fibrillation, heart...
learn more »
Supraventricular Tachycardia
Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT, PSVT) is one type of heart rhythm disorder. There are several types of heart diseases included in the PSVT category, for e...
learn more »