Atrial fibrillation (AFIB) is a heart rhythm disorder in which the heart beats irregularly and often too fast. Doctors often prescribe medication for this condition, but sometimes they have to do a procedure called cardioversion, in which a small charge is delivered that helps convert the heart from irregular rhythm to normal rhythm. Even after cardioversion, you will need to continue taking heart rhythm medications, which can improve your quality of life and avoid serious complications.
Heart Disease Treatment
Treatment options for heart disease depend on the type of disease you have. Less severe blockages in arteries are treated with lifestyle modification, control of risk factors and medications while severe blockages are treated with medication, angioplasty or bypass surgery. Some patients may be eligible for cardiac rehabilitation, a medically supervised program designed to help you heal your heart and keep it healthy.
Recently Answered
-
3 AnswersA
Dr. Muhammad Asad, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered on behalf of TriStar Hendersonville Medical CenterSee All 3 Answers -
1 AnswerA
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons answeredCoronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) may be better than angioplasty for young people with heart disease. A study showed that young people with severe coronary artery disease may experience better long-term outcomes when they are treated with CABG instead of more popular and less invasive angioplasty and stent, also known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
An increasing number of young people with coronary artery disease are being offered stents primarily, but the study showed that they may be better off with CABG. The researchers examined data from 100 people who received stents (PCI or angioplasty) and 100 people who underwent CABG. All the people were younger than age 50. The operations were performed between January 2004 and December 2004, and then followed at intervals of 5 and 12 years. Follow-up information was collected from clinical notes and telephone surveys with the people or their general practitioners in December 2009 and again in December 2016.
The researchers compared the two groups, looking closely at the rates of myocardial infarction (MI, or heart attack), repeat revascularization, and total major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE). At the five-year follow-up, all of these rates were significantly greater in the PCI group compared to the CABG group: MI was 9 percent vs. 1 percent, respectively; repeat revascularization was 31 percent vs. 7 percent, respectively; and MACCE was 34 vs. 13, respectively. Similarly, at the 12-year follow-up, the rates of the PCI group were considerably higher than those of the CABG group.
The extent and severity of coronary artery disease was important in the study. When researchers examined data from people with one- or two-vessel coronary artery disease, they found no differences in the rates of death, MI, stroke, repeat revascularization or MACCE. However, in those who had more extensive, three-vessel disease, these rates were significantly higher in the PCI group compared to the CABG: MI was 47.6 percent vs. 19.2 percent, respectively; repeat revascularization was 66.7 percent vs. 20.5 percent, respectively; and MACCE was 19 in 21 people vs. 31 in 78 people, respectively.
-
4 AnswersA
Dr. Rachel P. Sosland, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered on behalf of HCA Midwest HealthSee All 4 AnswersAt your first visit to a cardiologist you will get a thorough review of your medical history and assessment of risk factors of coronary artery disease. Blood pressure, heart rate and electrocardiogram will be obtained. You will have a complete cardiac/vascular exam. The cardiologist will review the data with you and answer all your cardiac questions or concerns.
-
3 AnswersA
Dr. Narayana S. Rattehalli, MD , answered on behalf of Regional Medical Center Bayonet PointSee All 3 Answers
Most patients are able to go home within five to seven days following open heart surgery. A patient can expect to be fully recovered after three months. Learn more from Narayana Rattehalli, MD from Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in this video.
-
3 AnswersA
SCAI answeredSee All 3 AnswersIn November 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a new treatment for heart patients with severe aortic valve stenosis who are not good candidates for open-heart valve replacement surgery. This new procedure, called transcatheter valve replacement (TAVR), replaces the diseased aortic valve through a tube that is placed in the patient’s leg, or through an incision in the chest that is much smaller than traditional surgery.
As part of a conversation with your physician about the possible benefits and complications of TAVR, you might consider asking the following questions:
- How will percutaneous aortic valve replacement benefit me? Will I live longer? Will I feel better?
- What personal risk factors and potential benefits should I consider when making this decision?
- Is this new treatment safe? What are the risks?
- Where can I learn more about the procedure?
- Should I wait until more people have the procedure or other new devices become available?
- Can I receive this treatment at a local hospital or do I need to travel? Who would perform the procedure?
- Have other people had this procedure? What are the odds that I will survive?
- What will happen if I don’t have this procedure?
- How can I find a doctor with the expertise and experience to do this procedure?
- How many times has my cardiologist performed the procedure? What is his or her success rate?
-
2 AnswersA
UCLA Health answeredSee All 2 AnswersThere’s some controversy about whether statins may increase your risk of developing diabetes, however the overwhelming number of studies have demonstrated that not only do statins lower your cholesterol, but it decreases your risk of heart attack, stroke, some types of dementia and also cancers. Statins have been around for over 20 years and so far they’ve been very well tolerated. Statins are among the most frequently prescribed heart medications in the world. -
2 AnswersA
Dr. Enrique F. Rivera, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered on behalf of Blake Medical CenterSee All 2 Answers
Patients don't necessarily need a stent if they have a blockage because there are other treatment options, such as surgery. Watch this video with Enrique Rivera, MD, from Blake Medical Center to learn more.
-
1 AnswerA
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons answered
Men and women are treated differently for coronary artery disease (CAD). Women with CAD are at a significant disadvantage compared with men because they do not consistently receive the same intensive, invasive evaluation and treatment as men. Men receive greater access to effective cardiac treatments, including medications and revascularization, while women remain undiagnosed for many years. In a study of 1,254 people (627 men and 627 women) treated for CAD, significantly fewer women received three arterial grafts when compared with men (7.3 percent vs. 10.5 percent). The researchers found no difference in the percentages of bilateral internal thoracic artery and radial artery use between men and women.
Most clinicians assume correctly that women are less likely to receive multiple arterial revascularization, but they tend to believe that this is solely on the basis of a gender bias. This study shows that gender does not play a significant role in this decision. There is no reason that, when adjusted for all risk factors, the degree of multiple arterial revascularization in women should be any different than what men receive.Women with coronary heart disease (CHD) typically receive less complete surgical revascularization with arterial grafts than men do, but not because of gender bias. Instead, factors such as delayed diagnosis of CHD in women may contribute to the differences in treatment.
By the time women present with heart disease, they are slightly older and may be facing more comorbidities such as obesity and diabetes. As a consequence, these higher operative risks may preclude women from undergoing the more complex multiple arterial revascularization procedures that men receive. -
3 AnswersA
SCAI answeredSee All 3 AnswersCardiac rehab helps people make healthy choices and develop positive exercise and eating habits in a safe environment. These lifestyle changes help to reduce the chance of blockages in other arteries in the future. Cardiac rehab programs usually meet two to three times per week and require exercise in addition to the formal meetings.
-
3 AnswersA
Piedmont Heart Institute answeredSee All 3 AnswersExpect to stay in the hospital 1 to 2 days so your health care team can check your heartbeat and make sure your implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is working properly.
You'll need to arrange for a ride home from the hospital because you won't be able to drive for at least a week while you recover from the surgery.
For a few days to weeks after the surgery, you may have pain, swelling, or tenderness in the area where your ICD was placed. The pain usually is mild, and over-the-counter medicines can help relieve it. Talk to your doctor before taking any pain medicines.
Your doctor may ask you to avoid vigorous activities and heavy lifting for about a month after ICD surgery. Most people return to their normal activities within a few days of having the surgery.
This answer from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute has been reviewed and/or edited by Dr. William D. Knopf.