Atrial fibrillation (A-tre-al fi-bri-LA-shun), or AF, is the most common type of arrhythmia (ah-RITH-me-ah). An arrhythmia is a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm.
AF occurs if rapid, disorganized electrical signals cause the heart's two upper chambers—called the atria (AY-tree-uh)—to fibrillate. The term "fibrillate" means to contract very fast and irregularly.
1. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia where abnormal electrical signals in the atria cause an irregular heartbeat.
2. AF increases the risk of stroke by 5 times and is associated with increased mortality, hospitalization, and decreased quality of life.
3. Management involves rate or rhythm control as well as anticoagulation to prevent stroke, with treatment depending on factors like symptoms, age, and stroke risk level.
This document discusses atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac arrhythmia. It provides background on AF including its history, classification, epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis and electrocardiographic characteristics. Key points discussed are that AF results from triggers in the pulmonary veins initiating reentry circuits in the atria, and that it begets itself over time through electrical and structural remodeling of the atria. Management involves identifying and treating underlying causes, rate control, and anticoagulation to prevent thromboembolism.
This document provides an overview of atrial fibrillation (AF). It defines AF as a supraventricular arrhythmia characterized by disorganized, rapid, and irregular atrial activation with loss of atrial contraction. Some key points:
- AF prevalence increases with age and is more common in men and whites. It is the most common sustained arrhythmia.
- AF increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, dementia and mortality.
- Causes include hypertension, heart disease, sleep apnea and genetic factors.
- Treatment involves rate control or rhythm control with medications like beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and antiarrhythmics. Electrical cardioversion and catheter ablation are also
Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia and becomes more prevalent with age. It is associated with increased risks of mortality, stroke, and heart failure. The estimated global prevalence is over 30 million people and is expected to rise significantly by 2030. Treatment involves rate or rhythm control, with rhythm control indicated to improve symptoms in those remaining symptomatic on rate control. Anticoagulation therapy is crucial to prevent stroke in high risk patients based on risk scores like CHA2DS2-VASc. Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants are suitable alternatives to warfarin for stroke prevention.
A comprehensive approach to Atrial Fibrillation. Everything you need to know about Atrial fibrillation. Including recent 2014 AHA guidelines of management.
This document provides guidelines for the classification and management of atrial fibrillation (AF). It discusses the introduction, classification, mechanisms, causes and features of AF. The diagnostic evaluation and management guidelines cover rate control versus rhythm control strategies, pharmacological and electrical cardioversion options, and drugs used for rate and rhythm control. The goals are to control the heart rate, prevent thromboembolism, and restore normal sinus rhythm when possible. Management is individualized based on the frequency, duration and symptoms of AF and patient characteristics.
1) Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia characterized by disorganized atrial activity without effective contractions. It increases risk of stroke and prevalence rises with age.
2) Management involves restoring sinus rhythm through drugs, cardioversion, or ablation or controlling heart rate and preventing clots with anticoagulants. Rate control uses beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, or digoxin while restoring rhythm uses antiarrhythmics, cardioversion, or ablation.
3) Treatment depends on whether AF is paroxysmal, persistent or permanent and involves restoring rhythm if possible or controlling rate and preventing complications if not.
This document discusses the management of atrial fibrillation. It provides information on the causes, consequences, classification, and epidemiology of AF. It describes the acute management of AF including assessing hemodynamic status, starting anticoagulation, and deciding between rate and rhythm control strategies. Methods for rhythm control include electrical cardioversion and pharmacological cardioversion with drugs like amiodarone, ibutilide, flecainide, and propafenone. Rate control strategies use drugs like digoxin, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and amiodarone. The document also discusses anticoagulation for thromboembolism prevention and newer oral anticoagulants.
1. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia where abnormal electrical signals in the atria cause an irregular heartbeat.
2. AF increases the risk of stroke by 5 times and is associated with increased mortality, hospitalization, and decreased quality of life.
3. Management involves rate or rhythm control as well as anticoagulation to prevent stroke, with treatment depending on factors like symptoms, age, and stroke risk level.
This document discusses atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac arrhythmia. It provides background on AF including its history, classification, epidemiology, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis and electrocardiographic characteristics. Key points discussed are that AF results from triggers in the pulmonary veins initiating reentry circuits in the atria, and that it begets itself over time through electrical and structural remodeling of the atria. Management involves identifying and treating underlying causes, rate control, and anticoagulation to prevent thromboembolism.
This document provides an overview of atrial fibrillation (AF). It defines AF as a supraventricular arrhythmia characterized by disorganized, rapid, and irregular atrial activation with loss of atrial contraction. Some key points:
- AF prevalence increases with age and is more common in men and whites. It is the most common sustained arrhythmia.
- AF increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, dementia and mortality.
- Causes include hypertension, heart disease, sleep apnea and genetic factors.
- Treatment involves rate control or rhythm control with medications like beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and antiarrhythmics. Electrical cardioversion and catheter ablation are also
Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia and becomes more prevalent with age. It is associated with increased risks of mortality, stroke, and heart failure. The estimated global prevalence is over 30 million people and is expected to rise significantly by 2030. Treatment involves rate or rhythm control, with rhythm control indicated to improve symptoms in those remaining symptomatic on rate control. Anticoagulation therapy is crucial to prevent stroke in high risk patients based on risk scores like CHA2DS2-VASc. Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants are suitable alternatives to warfarin for stroke prevention.
A comprehensive approach to Atrial Fibrillation. Everything you need to know about Atrial fibrillation. Including recent 2014 AHA guidelines of management.
This document provides guidelines for the classification and management of atrial fibrillation (AF). It discusses the introduction, classification, mechanisms, causes and features of AF. The diagnostic evaluation and management guidelines cover rate control versus rhythm control strategies, pharmacological and electrical cardioversion options, and drugs used for rate and rhythm control. The goals are to control the heart rate, prevent thromboembolism, and restore normal sinus rhythm when possible. Management is individualized based on the frequency, duration and symptoms of AF and patient characteristics.
1) Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia characterized by disorganized atrial activity without effective contractions. It increases risk of stroke and prevalence rises with age.
2) Management involves restoring sinus rhythm through drugs, cardioversion, or ablation or controlling heart rate and preventing clots with anticoagulants. Rate control uses beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, or digoxin while restoring rhythm uses antiarrhythmics, cardioversion, or ablation.
3) Treatment depends on whether AF is paroxysmal, persistent or permanent and involves restoring rhythm if possible or controlling rate and preventing complications if not.
This document discusses the management of atrial fibrillation. It provides information on the causes, consequences, classification, and epidemiology of AF. It describes the acute management of AF including assessing hemodynamic status, starting anticoagulation, and deciding between rate and rhythm control strategies. Methods for rhythm control include electrical cardioversion and pharmacological cardioversion with drugs like amiodarone, ibutilide, flecainide, and propafenone. Rate control strategies use drugs like digoxin, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and amiodarone. The document also discusses anticoagulation for thromboembolism prevention and newer oral anticoagulants.
This document discusses atrial fibrillation (AF), including its classification, mechanisms, and management. AF is characterized by disorganized atrial electrical activity seen on ECG as irregular baseline undulations. The ventricular response rate is irregularly irregular between 100-160 bpm. AF can be classified as first detected, paroxysmal lasting <7 days, persistent lasting >7 days, or permanent lasting >1 year. The mechanism involves multiple reentrant wavelets propagating randomly through the atria. Management strategies include pharmacological or electrical cardioversion for acute termination, antiarrhythmic drugs to prevent recurrence, and rate control medications.
This document provides an overview of atrial fibrillation (AF), including its pathogenesis, types, diagnosis, and management. Some key points:
- AF is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, affecting around 6% of those over 65. It increases the risk of stroke.
- It occurs when the normal sinus rhythm is overridden by disorganized electrical impulses, usually originating in the lungs.
- Types include paroxysmal, persistent, and permanent. Symptoms range from none to palpitations, dyspnea, chest pain, and neurological issues.
- Diagnosis is made via ECG showing irregular rhythm without P waves. Workup evaluates for underlying causes and stroke risk factors.
Syncope is defined as a brief, self-limited loss of consciousness due to reduced cerebral blood flow. It is characterized by rapid onset, short duration, and spontaneous recovery. The document discusses the various causes of syncope including neurally-mediated (vasovagal), orthostatic, cardiac, and others. It outlines the evaluation process including history, physical exam, ECG, and cardiac monitoring. Further tests like tilt table testing and electrophysiology studies may be used depending on the suspected cause to determine the etiology and appropriate treatment. The history is critical to differentiate syncope from other mimics and identify high-risk patients who require more extensive cardiac evaluation and monitoring.
Palpitations are defined as an uncomfortable awareness of the heartbeat. They can be caused by cardiac arrhythmias, psychiatric conditions like anxiety, or other miscellaneous factors like drugs or hyperthyroidism. The goal in evaluating patients with palpitations is to determine if they are caused by a potentially life-threatening arrhythmia. The physician takes a history on the nature of the palpitations and performs an examination and initial testing like an ECG or holter monitor. Depending on the results, further testing with echocardiogram, event recorder, or mobile cardiac telemetry may be used to diagnose the underlying cause, which is important to guide management and reassurance of the patient.
Atrial fibrillation can be characterized on electrocardiogram by low-amplitude baseline oscillations and irregular ventricular rhythm. It is classified as paroxysmal if self-terminating within 7 days, persistent between 7 days to 1 year, or permanent if lasting over 1 year. Risk factors include heart disease, hypertension, age, and obesity. Prevention of thromboembolic complications involves risk stratification using CHADS2 or CHA2DS2-VASc scores to determine need for anticoagulation. Warfarin reduces risk of stroke but comes with risk of bleeding, while newer oral anticoagulants such as dabigatran and rivaroxaban are equally effective with less monitoring
LECTURE ON ATRIAL FIBRILLATION TO 9TH TERM MEDICAL STUDENTS REFERENCES: DAVIDSON(2018) HARRISON 20TH ED OF MEDICINE AND 2020 EUROPEAN HEART GUIDELINES ON AF
Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter are types of arrhythmia where the heart beats irregularly. Atrial fibrillation occurs when rapid, irregular electrical signals cause the heart's upper chambers (atria) to beat very fast and irregularly. Atrial flutter is similar but the heart beats fast in a regular pattern. These conditions are diagnosed through electrocardiograms which detect abnormal heart rhythms. Holter monitors and event recorders can also detect arrhythmias over longer periods of time when symptoms occur. Complications include stroke and heart failure, so treatment focuses on rate or rhythm control and preventing clots.
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat caused by rapid and chaotic electrical activity in the atria. There are three main types - paroxysmal which comes and goes for less than 2 days, persistent for over 7 days and likely to recur, and permanent which cannot be reverted. Causes include hypertension, obesity, heart disease, alcohol, smoking, and other chronic conditions. Symptoms include fatigue, palpitations, dizziness, and chest pain. Diagnosis involves ECG, echocardiogram, Holter monitor and other tests. Treatment options include rate control with medications, rhythm control with antiarrhythmics like amiodarone, cardioversion, catheter ablation, or a pacemaker. A
Atrial Fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia encountered by a physician. The global prevalence is increasing because of aging population and better detection methods. Prediction of new onset AF is possible. AF is also a lifestyle disease. Lifestyle therapy, rate or rhythm control and stroke risk stratification are are four main pillars of AF management.
Palpitations are a common symptom experienced by patients as an awareness of heartbeat. They can be caused by cardiac, psychiatric, or miscellaneous factors in about equal proportions. Evaluation involves determining if there is an underlying arrhythmia or structural heart disease through history, physical exam, ECG and monitoring tests. For most patients where serious causes are excluded, reassurance is provided, though beta-blockers may be used if palpitations are frequent or troubling.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. It is characterized by irregular heart rhythms without distinct P waves due to irregular activation of the atria. The prevalence increases with age and is higher in men. Risk factors include hypertension, heart disease, heart failure, thyroid disorders, obesity, and lung disease. If left untreated, atrial fibrillation can lead to stroke, heart failure, reduced quality of life, and death. The pathogenesis involves multiple activation wavelets in the atria which causes the muscle to shorten its refractory period, making further arrhythmias more likely. Atrial fibrillation is classified based on its pattern and duration.
A 56-year-old woman presents with symptoms of hyperthyroidism including palpitations, weight loss, and anxiety. Her pulse is irregular at 140-150 bpm. Examination shows signs of Graves' disease including a goiter and exophthalmos. The diagnosis is hyperthyroidism causing atrial fibrillation. Investigations would include thyroid function tests.
Rhythm control for atrial fibrillation is pursued over rate control when a patient remains symptomatic despite adequate rate control or has a strong preference for restoring normal rhythm.
This document discusses current management of atrial fibrillation including evaluating thromboembolic risk, rate or rhythm control strategies, anticoagulation guidelines, cardio
The document summarizes guidelines for managing atrial fibrillation. It discusses recommendations for stroke prevention using anticoagulants, rate control therapy, and rhythm control therapy. It also recommends catheter ablation of accessory pathways in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome patients with atrial fibrillation to prevent rapid conduction across pathways leading to dangerous arrhythmias.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, depriving brain cells of oxygen and nutrients. There are two main types of strokes: ischemic, caused by a blockage in an artery, and hemorrhagic, caused by a ruptured blood vessel. The brain is divided into left and right hemispheres that control opposite sides of the body and have distinct functions like language processing and spatial awareness. Nursing interventions for stroke patients focus on monitoring vital signs, neurostatus, preventing injury, and managing medications or treatments like tPA to reduce disability from the stroke.
1) Cardiac arrhythmias are common in the ICU and represent a major source of morbidity and potential increased mortality. Arrhythmias may be the primary reason for admission or develop during critical illness.
2) Factors that increase the risk of life-threatening arrhythmias in ICU patients include their underlying critical illnesses, drugs, electrolyte imbalances, hypoxia, sepsis and other metabolic disturbances, and fluctuations in intravascular volume.
3) Arrhythmias can be life-threatening if the heart rate is too fast or slow resulting in hemodynamic instability, if it degenerates to ventricular fibrillation, or if associated with severe hypokalemia/hypomagnesemia or underlying
Cardiac arrhythmias are abnormalities in the heart's rhythm. There are two main types: bradycardia, a slow heart rate, and tachycardia, a fast heart rate. Various arrhythmias are described including sinus bradycardia, heart block, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, AV nodal reentry tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia. Treatment depends on the type of arrhythmia and may include medication, cardioversion, ablation, or pacemaker implantation. Diagnosis involves ECG, echocardiogram, blood tests, and other cardiac tests. Lifestyle changes and avoiding arrhythmia triggers can help management.
Transthoracic echocardiography is useful for evaluating left atrial size, left ventricular systolic function, and mitral valve morphology in patients with atrial fibrillation. Larger left atrial size is associated with worse prognosis and lower chance of maintaining sinus rhythm. Left ventricular dysfunction predicts increased risk of stroke. Transesophageal echocardiography can more accurately identify left atrial thrombi and help determine stroke risk in patients needing cardioversion.
Atrial fibrillation is characterized by an irregular heartbeat and is classified as paroxysmal, persistent, or permanent based on duration. It is associated with risks like stroke and is diagnosed by ECG showing irregular rhythms. Treatment involves rate control with medications, anticoagulation based on stroke risk scores, and catheter ablation or antiarrhythmic drugs for rhythm control.
The document discusses ischemic stroke, including its epidemiology, classification, risk factors, and etiopathogenesis. Some key points:
- Stroke occurs every 5 seconds worldwide and is a leading cause of death and disability globally. Incidence and prevalence varies significantly between countries and regions.
- Strokes are classified based on their underlying cause (ischemic vs hemorrhagic) and further subtyped based on etiology (large vessel atherosclerosis, cardioembolism, small vessel disease, etc).
- Major risk factors for ischemic stroke include hypertension, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, lack of physical activity, and a family history of stroke.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia, affecting over 2 million people in the US. It can cause palpitations, weakness, and reduced exercise capacity. Risk factors include structural heart disease, lung disease, hyperthyroidism, and alcohol use. Diagnosis is made through EKG and echocardiogram. Treatment involves rate or rhythm control with medications, cardioversion, or ablation, as well as long-term anticoagulation to prevent stroke for high-risk patients.
la méthode MeSH Database + Lilmits appliquée à une recherche sur la prévention de la thrombose veineuse par les anticoagulants.
Un chapitre est consacré à MyNCBI
This document discusses atrial fibrillation (AF), including its classification, mechanisms, and management. AF is characterized by disorganized atrial electrical activity seen on ECG as irregular baseline undulations. The ventricular response rate is irregularly irregular between 100-160 bpm. AF can be classified as first detected, paroxysmal lasting <7 days, persistent lasting >7 days, or permanent lasting >1 year. The mechanism involves multiple reentrant wavelets propagating randomly through the atria. Management strategies include pharmacological or electrical cardioversion for acute termination, antiarrhythmic drugs to prevent recurrence, and rate control medications.
This document provides an overview of atrial fibrillation (AF), including its pathogenesis, types, diagnosis, and management. Some key points:
- AF is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, affecting around 6% of those over 65. It increases the risk of stroke.
- It occurs when the normal sinus rhythm is overridden by disorganized electrical impulses, usually originating in the lungs.
- Types include paroxysmal, persistent, and permanent. Symptoms range from none to palpitations, dyspnea, chest pain, and neurological issues.
- Diagnosis is made via ECG showing irregular rhythm without P waves. Workup evaluates for underlying causes and stroke risk factors.
Syncope is defined as a brief, self-limited loss of consciousness due to reduced cerebral blood flow. It is characterized by rapid onset, short duration, and spontaneous recovery. The document discusses the various causes of syncope including neurally-mediated (vasovagal), orthostatic, cardiac, and others. It outlines the evaluation process including history, physical exam, ECG, and cardiac monitoring. Further tests like tilt table testing and electrophysiology studies may be used depending on the suspected cause to determine the etiology and appropriate treatment. The history is critical to differentiate syncope from other mimics and identify high-risk patients who require more extensive cardiac evaluation and monitoring.
Palpitations are defined as an uncomfortable awareness of the heartbeat. They can be caused by cardiac arrhythmias, psychiatric conditions like anxiety, or other miscellaneous factors like drugs or hyperthyroidism. The goal in evaluating patients with palpitations is to determine if they are caused by a potentially life-threatening arrhythmia. The physician takes a history on the nature of the palpitations and performs an examination and initial testing like an ECG or holter monitor. Depending on the results, further testing with echocardiogram, event recorder, or mobile cardiac telemetry may be used to diagnose the underlying cause, which is important to guide management and reassurance of the patient.
Atrial fibrillation can be characterized on electrocardiogram by low-amplitude baseline oscillations and irregular ventricular rhythm. It is classified as paroxysmal if self-terminating within 7 days, persistent between 7 days to 1 year, or permanent if lasting over 1 year. Risk factors include heart disease, hypertension, age, and obesity. Prevention of thromboembolic complications involves risk stratification using CHADS2 or CHA2DS2-VASc scores to determine need for anticoagulation. Warfarin reduces risk of stroke but comes with risk of bleeding, while newer oral anticoagulants such as dabigatran and rivaroxaban are equally effective with less monitoring
LECTURE ON ATRIAL FIBRILLATION TO 9TH TERM MEDICAL STUDENTS REFERENCES: DAVIDSON(2018) HARRISON 20TH ED OF MEDICINE AND 2020 EUROPEAN HEART GUIDELINES ON AF
Atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter are types of arrhythmia where the heart beats irregularly. Atrial fibrillation occurs when rapid, irregular electrical signals cause the heart's upper chambers (atria) to beat very fast and irregularly. Atrial flutter is similar but the heart beats fast in a regular pattern. These conditions are diagnosed through electrocardiograms which detect abnormal heart rhythms. Holter monitors and event recorders can also detect arrhythmias over longer periods of time when symptoms occur. Complications include stroke and heart failure, so treatment focuses on rate or rhythm control and preventing clots.
Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat caused by rapid and chaotic electrical activity in the atria. There are three main types - paroxysmal which comes and goes for less than 2 days, persistent for over 7 days and likely to recur, and permanent which cannot be reverted. Causes include hypertension, obesity, heart disease, alcohol, smoking, and other chronic conditions. Symptoms include fatigue, palpitations, dizziness, and chest pain. Diagnosis involves ECG, echocardiogram, Holter monitor and other tests. Treatment options include rate control with medications, rhythm control with antiarrhythmics like amiodarone, cardioversion, catheter ablation, or a pacemaker. A
Atrial Fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia encountered by a physician. The global prevalence is increasing because of aging population and better detection methods. Prediction of new onset AF is possible. AF is also a lifestyle disease. Lifestyle therapy, rate or rhythm control and stroke risk stratification are are four main pillars of AF management.
Palpitations are a common symptom experienced by patients as an awareness of heartbeat. They can be caused by cardiac, psychiatric, or miscellaneous factors in about equal proportions. Evaluation involves determining if there is an underlying arrhythmia or structural heart disease through history, physical exam, ECG and monitoring tests. For most patients where serious causes are excluded, reassurance is provided, though beta-blockers may be used if palpitations are frequent or troubling.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. It is characterized by irregular heart rhythms without distinct P waves due to irregular activation of the atria. The prevalence increases with age and is higher in men. Risk factors include hypertension, heart disease, heart failure, thyroid disorders, obesity, and lung disease. If left untreated, atrial fibrillation can lead to stroke, heart failure, reduced quality of life, and death. The pathogenesis involves multiple activation wavelets in the atria which causes the muscle to shorten its refractory period, making further arrhythmias more likely. Atrial fibrillation is classified based on its pattern and duration.
A 56-year-old woman presents with symptoms of hyperthyroidism including palpitations, weight loss, and anxiety. Her pulse is irregular at 140-150 bpm. Examination shows signs of Graves' disease including a goiter and exophthalmos. The diagnosis is hyperthyroidism causing atrial fibrillation. Investigations would include thyroid function tests.
Rhythm control for atrial fibrillation is pursued over rate control when a patient remains symptomatic despite adequate rate control or has a strong preference for restoring normal rhythm.
This document discusses current management of atrial fibrillation including evaluating thromboembolic risk, rate or rhythm control strategies, anticoagulation guidelines, cardio
The document summarizes guidelines for managing atrial fibrillation. It discusses recommendations for stroke prevention using anticoagulants, rate control therapy, and rhythm control therapy. It also recommends catheter ablation of accessory pathways in Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome patients with atrial fibrillation to prevent rapid conduction across pathways leading to dangerous arrhythmias.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, depriving brain cells of oxygen and nutrients. There are two main types of strokes: ischemic, caused by a blockage in an artery, and hemorrhagic, caused by a ruptured blood vessel. The brain is divided into left and right hemispheres that control opposite sides of the body and have distinct functions like language processing and spatial awareness. Nursing interventions for stroke patients focus on monitoring vital signs, neurostatus, preventing injury, and managing medications or treatments like tPA to reduce disability from the stroke.
1) Cardiac arrhythmias are common in the ICU and represent a major source of morbidity and potential increased mortality. Arrhythmias may be the primary reason for admission or develop during critical illness.
2) Factors that increase the risk of life-threatening arrhythmias in ICU patients include their underlying critical illnesses, drugs, electrolyte imbalances, hypoxia, sepsis and other metabolic disturbances, and fluctuations in intravascular volume.
3) Arrhythmias can be life-threatening if the heart rate is too fast or slow resulting in hemodynamic instability, if it degenerates to ventricular fibrillation, or if associated with severe hypokalemia/hypomagnesemia or underlying
Cardiac arrhythmias are abnormalities in the heart's rhythm. There are two main types: bradycardia, a slow heart rate, and tachycardia, a fast heart rate. Various arrhythmias are described including sinus bradycardia, heart block, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, AV nodal reentry tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia. Treatment depends on the type of arrhythmia and may include medication, cardioversion, ablation, or pacemaker implantation. Diagnosis involves ECG, echocardiogram, blood tests, and other cardiac tests. Lifestyle changes and avoiding arrhythmia triggers can help management.
Transthoracic echocardiography is useful for evaluating left atrial size, left ventricular systolic function, and mitral valve morphology in patients with atrial fibrillation. Larger left atrial size is associated with worse prognosis and lower chance of maintaining sinus rhythm. Left ventricular dysfunction predicts increased risk of stroke. Transesophageal echocardiography can more accurately identify left atrial thrombi and help determine stroke risk in patients needing cardioversion.
Atrial fibrillation is characterized by an irregular heartbeat and is classified as paroxysmal, persistent, or permanent based on duration. It is associated with risks like stroke and is diagnosed by ECG showing irregular rhythms. Treatment involves rate control with medications, anticoagulation based on stroke risk scores, and catheter ablation or antiarrhythmic drugs for rhythm control.
The document discusses ischemic stroke, including its epidemiology, classification, risk factors, and etiopathogenesis. Some key points:
- Stroke occurs every 5 seconds worldwide and is a leading cause of death and disability globally. Incidence and prevalence varies significantly between countries and regions.
- Strokes are classified based on their underlying cause (ischemic vs hemorrhagic) and further subtyped based on etiology (large vessel atherosclerosis, cardioembolism, small vessel disease, etc).
- Major risk factors for ischemic stroke include hypertension, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, smoking, obesity, high cholesterol, lack of physical activity, and a family history of stroke.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia, affecting over 2 million people in the US. It can cause palpitations, weakness, and reduced exercise capacity. Risk factors include structural heart disease, lung disease, hyperthyroidism, and alcohol use. Diagnosis is made through EKG and echocardiogram. Treatment involves rate or rhythm control with medications, cardioversion, or ablation, as well as long-term anticoagulation to prevent stroke for high-risk patients.
la méthode MeSH Database + Lilmits appliquée à une recherche sur la prévention de la thrombose veineuse par les anticoagulants.
Un chapitre est consacré à MyNCBI
The weather report was prepared by Ricardo Morales Dávalos, Isaac Castillo Soto, and Mateo Díaz Jiménez for Diego Olguín in Villahermosa. It provides recommendations on weather conditions but does not specify the nature of the recommendations.
Heart failure is a clinical syndrome that results from any structural or functional impairment of the ventricle that reduces its ability to fill with or eject blood. It impacts over 5 million Americans with high costs of care. The key aspects are reduced cardiac output, ejection fraction, preload and afterload. Compensatory mechanisms initially help but eventually fail, leading to fluid overload and decompensation. Diagnosis involves history, exam, echocardiogram and blood tests. Treatment depends on symptoms and stages from risk factor modification to drug therapy and devices.
Heart failure is a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. It affects over 5 million Americans. The prevalence increases with age, reaching nearly 10% in those over 80. Symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling, and more. Treatment focuses on reducing cardiac workload through diuretics, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, and other drugs. Device therapies like CRT can also help certain patients. Lifestyle changes and strict medication adherence are important for managing the condition.
Heart failure is a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. It has many potential causes, but is often due to problems with the heart muscle itself or valves. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms with diuretics, and slowing progression with ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, and aldosterone antagonists. Other therapies aim to improve heart function or treat underlying causes. Prognosis depends on severity but ranges from 5-50% annual mortality.
This document discusses congestive heart failure (CHF). It provides epidemiological data on CHF, showing it affects millions of people worldwide and costs billions of dollars annually. It defines CHF as the heart's inability to meet circulatory demands and classifies it based on location (left vs right heart) and time course (acute vs chronic). Causes of acute and chronic CHF include myocardial infarction, hypertension, valvular diseases, and cardiomyopathies. The pathophysiology of CHF involves systolic and diastolic dysfunction that can lead to ventricular hypertrophy, dilation, and neurohormonal activation causing further organ damage.
Heart failure, also known as cardiac decompensation or cardiac insufficiency, occurs when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. It can be caused by conditions that impair the heart muscle's ability to contract effectively or limit ventricular filling. Symptoms vary depending on whether the left or right ventricle is primarily affected and include dyspnea, fatigue, edema and others. Diagnostic tests may include echocardiography, ECG, chest x-ray and BNP level. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms, slowing disease progression, and preventing hospitalizations through lifestyle changes and medication.
Présentation de la chaîne critique pour une promotion d'un mastère spécialisé en Management par projet au CESI de Nantes
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13 meilleures adages et inspirations de Steve Jobs sur le l'esprit leader, charisme, la vie, le changement, le business, l’argent, la mercatique la crriere et autre…
Pathophysiology of congestive heart failurethunderrajesh
This document provides an overview of congestive heart failure, including its definition, types, causes, symptoms, complications, diagnosis, and treatment. Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart muscle is weakened and cannot pump blood effectively, leading to fluid buildup in tissues and organs. The main types are systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Common causes include hypertension, coronary artery disease, and valvular issues. Symptoms involve fatigue, shortness of breath, and swelling. Treatment focuses on medications like ACE inhibitors, diuretics, beta blockers, and lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and stress reduction.
Atrial flutter is a condition where the top chambers of the heart (atria) beat much faster than normal. This causes less blood to be pumped to the lower chambers (ventricles) which can lead to poor circulation. Atrial flutter may be triggered by things like alcohol, smoking, lung diseases, heart issues, or thyroid problems. Symptoms include a fluttering heartbeat, fatigue, dizziness, chest pain, and shortness of breath. Diagnosis involves ECG, Holter monitor, or echocardiogram. Treatment focuses on controlling the heart rate through medications like ibutilide, cardioversion, or ablation. Nurses monitor patients for irregular heart rates and side effects of medications like digoxin toxicity
Cardiomyopathy (KAR-de-o-mi-OP-ah-thee) refers to diseases of the heart muscle. These diseases have many causes, signs and symptoms, and treatments.
In cardiomyopathy, the heart muscle becomes enlarged, thick, or rigid. In rare cases, the muscle tissue in the heart is replaced with scar tissue.
As cardiomyopathy worsens, the heart becomes weaker. It's less able to pump blood through the body and maintain a normal electrical rhythm. This can lead toheart failure or irregular heartbeats called arrhythmias (ah-RITH-me-ahs). In turn, heart failure can cause fluid to build up in the lungs, ankles, feet, legs, or abdomen.
The weakening of the heart also can cause other complications, such as heart valve problems.
OverviewThe main types of cardiomyopathy are:
Dilated cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic (hi-per-TROF-ik) cardiomyopathy
Restrictive cardiomyopathy
Arrhythmogenic (ah-rith-mo-JEN-ik) right ventricular dysplasia
(dis-PLA-ze-ah)
Other types of cardiomyopathy sometimes are referred to as "unclassified cardiomyopathy."
Cardiomyopathy can be acquired or inherited. "Acquired" means you aren't born with the disease, but you develop it due to another disease, condition, or factor. "Inherited" means your parents passed the gene for the disease on to you. Many times, the cause of cardiomyopathy isn't known.
Cardiomyopathy can affect people of all ages. However, people in certain age groups are more likely to have certain types of cardiomyopathy. This article focuses on cardiomyopathy in adults.
OutlookSome people who have cardiomyopathy have no signs or symptoms and need no treatment. For other people, the disease develops quickly, symptoms are severe, and serious complications occur.
Treatments for cardiomyopathy include lifestyle changes, medicines, surgery, implanted devices to correct arrhythmias, and a nonsurgical procedure. These treatments can control symptoms, reduce complications, and stop the disease from getting worse.
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a disease in
which a waxy substance called plaque (plak) builds up inside the coronary
arteries. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle.
When plaque builds up in the arteries, the
condition is called atherosclerosis
(ATH-er-o-skler-O-sis). The buildup of plaque occurs over many years. Over time, plaque can harden or rupture
(break open). Hardened plaque narrows the coronary arteries and reduces the
flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. If
the plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form on its surface. A large blood clot
can mostly or completely block blood flow through a coronary artery. Over time,
ruptured plaque also hardens and narrows the coronary arteries. If the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your
heart muscle is reduced or blocked, angina
(an-JI-nuh or AN-juh-nuh) or a heart attack
can occur.
Angina is chest pain or discomfort. It may
feel like pressure or squeezing in your chest. The pain also can occur in your
shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. Angina pain may even feel like
indigestion.
A heart attack occurs if the flow of
oxygen-rich blood to a section of heart muscle is cut off. If blood flow isn’t
restored quickly, the section of heart muscle begins to die. Without quick
treatment, a heart attack can lead to serious health problems or death.
survey on drugs used in atrial fibrillation.pptxArchiPatel49
Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm characterized by irregular beating of the atrial chambers. It is associated with risks of stroke, heart failure, and dementia. Drugs used to treat atrial fibrillation include anticoagulants to prevent blood clots like warfarin, and antiplatelets like aspirin to prevent clot formation. The survey found that aspirin was used in 60% of cases, while warfarin was used in 20% to prevent complications of atrial fibrillation. Newer anticoagulants like dabigatran and rivaroxaban were found to be more effective than warfarin, but also more expensive.
What is Hypertension?
Hypertension is the term used to portray hypertension. Hypertension is more than once raised pulse surpassing 140 north of 90 mmHg. It is ordered as essential or fundamental (roughly 90% of all cases) or auxiliary because of a recognizable, now and again correctable neurotic condition, like renal illness or essential aldosteronism.
Heart attacks remain a major health concern worldwide. Common symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, pain in other body areas, sweating, nausea and fatigue. Treatment options depend on the severity of the attack but may include medications to open blood vessels or procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of additional heart attacks.
Heart attacks remain a major health concern worldwide. Common symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, pain in other body areas, sweating, nausea and fatigue. Treatment options depend on the severity of the attack but may include medications to open blood vessels or procedures like angioplasty or bypass surgery. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of additional heart attacks.
This document provides a summary of angina pectoris (chest pain). It begins with an example case history and treatment. It then defines angina and describes the main types (stable and unstable). It discusses the pathophysiology and clinical presentation. It outlines the diagnostic tests and procedures used to diagnose angina. The goals and approaches to treatment are summarized, including drug therapies like nitrates, beta blockers, and calcium channel blockers. Other measures for managing coronary artery disease are mentioned like treating risk factors and lifestyle changes.
This document provides a summary of angina pectoris (chest pain). It begins with an example case history and treatment. It then defines angina and describes the main types (stable and unstable). It discusses the pathophysiology and clinical presentation. It outlines the diagnostic tests and procedures used to diagnose angina. The goals and approaches to treatment are summarized, including drug therapies like nitrates, beta blockers, and calcium channel blockers. Other measures for managing coronary artery disease are mentioned like treating risk factors and lifestyle changes.
This document provides a summary of angina pectoris (chest pain). It begins with an example case history and treatment. It then defines angina and describes the main types (stable and unstable). It discusses the pathophysiology and clinical presentation. It outlines the diagnostic tests and procedures used to diagnose angina. The goals and approaches to treatment are summarized, including drug therapies like nitrates, beta blockers, and calcium channel blockers. Other measures for managing coronary artery disease are mentioned like lifestyle changes and procedures.
1- We need to reassure Mrs. J to decrease her anxiety. shandicollingwood
1- We need to reassure Mrs. J to decrease her anxiety. Lab work, chest x-ray and ECHO will be needed. She will need a septic work-up and qualifies for a sepsis alert, however with signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure she may need an inotropic infusion instead of fluid bolus to correct her hypotension. She may have developed pneumonia from the flu virus and could possibly have a pleural effusion. The rationale for each of the medications ordered are as follows (U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2015)
Lasix -for pulmonary edema – frothy blood-tinged sputum
Enalapril – an ACE inhibitor is given for heart failure; it works by decreasing vascular resistance – watch for further hypotension
Metoprolol – a betablocker is for hypertension and heart failure; it slows the heart rate and relaxes veins – again watch for hypotension
IV morphine is usually for pain, but in this case, it is for the anxiolytic properties and vasodilation (Naito, Kohno, & Fukuda, 2017).
Four cardiovascular conditions that cause heart failure are coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, myocarditis, and congenital heart defects (American Heart Association [AHA], 2017). One condition is coronary artery disease caused by fatty deposits and cholesterol that clog arteries. This can lead to the arteries that feed heart muscle becoming closed off resulting in heart muscle damage. Second, a myocardial infarction happens when an artery that feeds the heart muscle is blocked causing lack of oxygen. This ultimately results in death of the muscle and pump failure. The blockage can be from a blood clot that traveled to the heart or from arteriosclerosis. Another condition is myocarditis. It is caused by an infection that attacks the heart muscle resulting in pump failure. Finally, congenital heart defects can result in heart failure because the heart is malformed. The malformation makes the heart work harder and the blood may not flow in an efficient manner (AHA, 2017).
For the most part, being active and eating a healthy diet are important factors to reduce the risks of developing heart failure. Taking prescribed medications are very important to help improve heart function and reduce the heart’s work load. For congenital heart defects, the patient may need surgery to correct the malformation; or sometimes, a heart transplant may be required.
For medication safety,
Develop an accurate medication list for your patient. This medication list should be in words the patient can understand and include the name, dose, time for administration and the reason for each medication. Encourage the patient to take ownership of her medications and keep the list up to date. Take it to every appointment no matter who the doctor is. Also, include any over the counter medications and check for interactions with prescription medications.
Have the patient use only one phar ...
Global Medical Cures™ | Heart Disease Medicines
ACE Inhibitors & ARBs: Patients Guide for those suffering from Stable Coronary Heart Disease
DISCLAIMER-
Global Medical Cures™ does not offer any medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or recommendations. Only your healthcare provider/physician can offer you information and recommendations for you to decide about your healthcare choices.
An arrhythmia (ah-RITH-me-ah) is a problem with the rate or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm.
A heartbeat that is too fast is called tachycardia (TAK-ih-KAR-de-ah). A heartbeat that is too slow is called bradycardia (bray-de-KAR-de-ah).
A hypertensive crisis is a sudden spike in blood pressure to 180/120 mmHg or higher, which is a medical emergency that could lead to organ damage or be life-threatening. Symptoms include headaches, confusion, chest pain, nausea, and weakness. Causes include non-compliance with medications, high salt/fat diets, certain drugs, kidney disease, and hormone imbalances. Treatment involves reducing blood pressure in the ICU over hours to days depending on any organ damage present. Nursing care focuses on monitoring, medication administration, lifestyle changes, and education to prevent future crises.
1. Arrhythmias occur when the heart beats too fast, too slow, or with an irregular rhythm due to problems with the heart's electrical conduction system.
2. Several classes of antiarrhythmic drugs are used to treat arrhythmias by blocking sodium, calcium, or potassium channels to suppress abnormal automaticity or conduction in the heart.
3. Common antiarrhythmic drugs include quinidine, mexiletine, flecainide, propranolol, amiodarone, dofetilide, verapamil and diltiazem. These drugs have different mechanisms of action and potential side effects like cardiac toxicity that require careful monitoring.
This presentation speaks about hypertension and how the brain regulates blood pressure. It also describes the ill effects of increased blood pressure on the human body. The intention of this presentation is to create an awareness on how lifestyle changes can help in managing blood pressure
The document provides guidance on cardiac arrest and arrhythmia management. The key steps are to check for responsiveness, call for help, open the airway, give rescue breaths if needed, check the pulse and perform chest compressions if pulseless. CPR is used to keep the patient alive until cardioversion. Ventricular fibrillation is treated with immediate defibrillation followed by CPR and epinephrine. Atrial fibrillation is typically managed by controlling the heart rate and long-term anticoagulation to prevent stroke.
This document discusses the treatment of heart arrhythmias. It describes how arrhythmias are diagnosed using tests like electrocardiograms, Holter monitors, and echocardiograms. Treatment depends on the type of arrhythmia and may include medications, cardioversion, catheter ablation, pacemakers, or defibrillators. For ventricular tachycardia, treatment involves medications, synchronized cardioversion, or an implanted cardioverter device. Supraventricular tachycardia is treated with vagal maneuvers, adenosine, beta-blockers, or calcium channel blockers. Lifestyle changes like quitting smoking can also help treat arrhythmias.
The document discusses congestive right heart failure (RSHF). RSHF occurs when the right side of the heart cannot pump blood to the lungs effectively, usually triggered by left-sided heart failure which stresses the right ventricle. Clinical features of RSHF include jugular vein distension, hepatosplenomegaly, edema, and ascites. Treatment focuses on controlling symptoms, reducing workload on the heart, and improving function through medications, lifestyle changes, and devices.
Overweight and obesity are both labels
for ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally
considered healthy for a given height. The terms also identify ranges
of weight that have been shown to increase the likelihood of certain
diseases and other health problems.
Corneal injury describes an injury to the
cornea. The cornea is the crystal clear (transparent) tissue covering the front
of the eye. It works with the lens of the eye to focus images on the retina.
Have you ever had
the "stomach flu?" What you probably had was gastroenteritis - not a
type of flu at all. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the
intestines caused by a virus, bacteria or parasites. Viral gastroenteritis is
the second most common illness in the U.S. It spreads through contaminated food
or water, and contact with an infected person. The best prevention is frequent
hand washing.
Symptoms of
gastroenteritis include diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, headache, fever
and chills. Most people recover with no treatment.
The most common
problem with gastroenteritis is dehydration. This happens if you do not drink
enough fluids to replace what you lose through vomiting and diarrhea. Dehydration
is most common in babies, young children, the elderly and people with weak
immune systems.
Bacterial gastroenteritis is inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by bacteria. Common symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting. Doctors diagnose it by examining patients for dehydration and testing stool samples. Treatment focuses on rehydration. Most cases resolve in a few days without antibiotics. It often occurs from eating contaminated food from improper handling or storage. Proper hygiene and food safety can help prevent bacterial gastroenteritis.
Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by compulsive drug use despite harmful consequences. Effective treatment employs both medication and behavioral therapies tailored to the individual, with the goal of stopping drug use and supporting long-term recovery. Treatment approaches may include detoxification, individual/group counseling, therapeutic communities, and medications to ease withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse. Treatment is most successful when it addresses all aspects of an individual's life and continues over an extended period of time.
Addiction results when a person ingests a
substance (alcohol, cocaine, or nicotine, for example) or repeatedly takes part
in an activity (gambling) that can be pleasurable, but the continued use of
which becomes compulsive and interferes with everyday life.
Common addictions include:
-- Alcohol abuse
-- Drug abuse
-- Exercise abuse
-- Pornography
-- Gambling
Classic symptoms of addiction include
impaired control over substances/behavior, preoccupation with
substance/behavior, continued use despite consequences, and denial. Behavior
patterns and habits associated with addiction are commonly characterized by the
pursuit of immediate gratification, coupled with negative long-term effects.
Physiological dependence results when the
body is unable to function normally in the absence of the substance or
behavior. This state produces the conditions of tolerance and withdrawl.
Tolerance is the result of the body
requiring larger volumes of the substance or stimulus in order to achieve the
original effects.
Withdrawal is the physical and
psychological symptoms experienced when the body no longer receives the
substance in the same quantities it has become reliant upon.
When winter temperatures drop significantly below normal, staying
warm and safe can become a challenge. Extremely cold temperatures
often accompany a winter storm, so you may have to cope with power failures and icy roads. Although staying indoors as much as possible can help reduce the risk of car crashes and falls on the ice, you may also face indoor hazards.
Many homes will be too cold—either due to a power failure or because the heating system isn't adequate for the weather. When people must use space heaters and fireplaces to stay warm, the risk of household fires increases, as well as the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Exposure to cold temperatures, whether indoors or outside, can cause other serious or life-threatening health problems. Infants and the elderly are particularly at risk, but anyone can be affected. To keep yourself and your family safe, you should know how to prevent cold-related health problems and what to do if a cold-weather health emergency arises. The emergency procedures outlined here are not a substitute for training in first aid. However, these procedures will help you to know when to seek medical care and what to do until help becomes available.
Maintaining a healthy office environment requires attention to chemical hazards, equipment and work station design, physical environment (temperature, humidity, light, noise, ventilation, and space), task design, psychological factors (personal interactions, work pace, job control) and sometimes, chemical or other environmental exposures.
A well-designed office allows each employee to work comfortably without needing to over-reach, sit or stand too long, or use awkward postures (correct ergonomic design). Sometimes, equipment or furniture changes are the best solution to allow employees to work comfortably. On other occasions, the equipment may be satisfactory but the task could be redesigned. For example, studies have shown that those working at computers have less discomfort with short, hourly breaks.
Situations in offices that can lead to injury or illness range from physical hazards (such as cords across walkways, leaving low drawers open, objects falling from overhead) to task-related (speed or repetition, duration, job control, etc.), environmental (chemical or biological sources) or design-related hazards (such as nonadjustable furniture or equipment). Job stress that results when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities or resources of the worker may also result in illness.
When quitting smoking many people feel the need
for help in the form of a tobacco substitute. There are a wide variety of
different products billed as alternatives to smoking that are supposedly healthier.
The main additive in cigarettes that makes them so addictive is
nicotine. Hence most of the products that aim to replace smoking are nicotine
replacements such as nicotine gum, inhalers, patches and medications.
Other products are sold as smokeless tobacco such as snuff and hookah or as better because they are low yield cigarettes. Not all of these smoking substitutes are
healthy or even better than cigarettes.
Tobacco use can lead to nicotine dependence and serious health problems. Cessation can significantly reduce the risk of suffering from smoking-related diseases. Tobacco dependence is a chronic condition that often requires repeated interventions, but effective treatments and helpful resources exist. Smokers can and do quit smoking. In fact, today there are more former smokers than current smokers.
This document provides strategies for reducing alcohol consumption or abstaining from drinking. It suggests keeping track of alcohol intake, setting limits on drinking days and quantities, pacing drinks and having non-alcoholic drinks between alcoholic ones. Avoiding triggers for drinking and planning responses to resist social pressure are also recommended. Practicing refusal skills by role playing expected situations can help build confidence to say no to drink offers. The goal is for the reader to choose strategies that work for them and maintain control over their own drinking choices.
Don't give up
Changing habits such as smoking, overeating, or drinking too much can take a lot of effort, and you may not succeed with the first try. Setbacks are common, but you learn more each time. Each try brings you closer to your goal. Whatever course you choose, give it a fair trial.
If one approach doesn't work, try something else. If a setback happens, get back on track as quickly as possible. In the long run, your chances for success are good.
Research shows that most heavy drinkers, even those with alcoholism, either cut back significantly or quit.
Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a set of symptoms that people who have a history of alcoholism experience when they stop drinking. People who are casual drinkers rarely have withdrawal symptoms.
People who have gone through withdrawal before are more likely to have withdrawal symptoms each time they quit drinking.
Symptoms of alcohol withdrawal can range from severe to mild, and can include:
-- Insomnia
-- Nightmares
-- Irritability
-- Fatigue
-- Shakes
-- Sweats
-- Anxiety
-- Depression
-- Headaches
-- Decreased appetite
Severe withdrawal symptoms include fever, convulsions and delirium tremens (DTs). Those who experience DTs may become confused, anxious and even have hallucinations. DTs can be very serious if they are not treated by a doctor.
Eat healthy
-- Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains every day.
-- Limit foods and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol.
-- Eat a balanced diet to help keep a healthy weight.
--
Learn the Facts
When you get a preventive medical test,
you're not just doing it for yourself. You're doing it for your family and
loved ones:
-- Men are 24 percent less likely than women
to have visited a doctor within the past year and are 22 percent more likely to
have neglected their cholesterol tests.
-- Men are 28 percent more likely than women
to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure.
-- Men are 32 percent more likely than women
to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes and are more than
twice as likely than women to have a leg or foot amputated due to complications
related to diabetes.
-- Men are 24 percent more likely than women
to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by getting an
immunization.
The single most important way you can take
care of yourself and those you love is to actively take part in your health
care. Educate yourself on health care and participate in decisions with your
doctor. This site will help you get started.
Learn the Facts
When you get a preventive medical test, you're not just doing it for yourself. You're doing it for your family and loved ones:
-- Men are 24 percent less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year and are 22 percent more likely to have neglected their cholesterol tests.
-- Men are 28 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure.
-- Men are 32 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes and are more than twice as likely than women to have a leg or foot amputated due to complications related to diabetes.
-- Men are 24 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by getting an immunization.
The single most important way you can take care of yourself and those you love is to actively take part in your health care. Educate yourself on health care and participate in decisions with your doctor. This site will help you get started.
When you get a preventive medical test, you're not just doing it for yourself. You're doing it for your family and loved ones:
Men are 24 percent less likely than women to have visited a doctor within the past year and are 22 percent more likely to have neglected their cholesterol tests.
Men are 28 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for congestive heart failure.
Men are 32 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for long-term complications of diabetes and are more than twice as likely than women to have a leg or foot amputated due to complications related to diabetes.
Men are 24 percent more likely than women to be hospitalized for pneumonia that could have been prevented by getting an immunization.
The single most important way you can take care of yourself and those you love is to actively take part in your health care. Educate yourself on health care and participate in decisions with your doctor. This site will help you get started.
The document provides information about various types of cancer screening tests for women. It discusses screening for breast cancer via mammogram, clinical breast exam, and breast self-exam. It also discusses screening for cervical cancer via Pap test and sometimes HPV test, as well as screening guidelines. The document notes there is no reliable screening for ovarian, uterine, vaginal or vulvar cancers but discusses risk factors and symptoms to watch for.
Injury is the #1 killer of children and teens in the United States. In 2009, more than 9,000 youth age 0-19 died from unintentional injuries in the United States. Millions more children suffer injuries requiring treatment in the emergency department. Leading causes of child injury include motor vehicle crashes, suffocation, drowning, poisoning, fires, and falls.1 Child injury is predictable and preventable. It is also among the most under-recognized public health problems facing our country today.
Progress has been made in preventing child injury. Child injury death rates have decreased 29% in the last decade.2 Yet injury is still the leading cause of death for children and teens. More can be done to keep our children safe.
Shiatsu is a physical therapy that supports
and strengthens the body’s natural ability to heal and balance itself. It works
on the whole person - not just a physical body, but also a psychological,
emotional and spiritual being.
Shiatsu originated in Japan from traditional
Chinese medicine, with influences from more recent Western therapies. Although
shiatsu means ‘finger pressure’ in Japanese, in practise a practitioner uses
touch, comfortable pressure and manipulative techniques to adjust the body’s
physical structure and balance its energy flow. It is a deeply relaxing
experience and regular treatments can alleviate stress and illness and maintain
health and well-being.
1. Fitango Education
Health Topics
Atrial Fibrillation
http://www.fitango.com/categories.php?id=141
2. Overview
Atrial fibrillation (A-tre-al fi-bri-LA-shun), or AF, is
the most common type of arrhythmia (ah-RITH-
me-ah). An arrhythmia is a problem with the rate
or rhythm of the heartbeat. During an
arrhythmia, the heart can beat too fast, too
slow, or with an irregular rhythm.
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3. Overview
AF occurs if rapid, disorganized electrical signals
cause the heart's two upper chambers—called the
atria (AY-tree-uh)—to fibrillate. The term
"fibrillate" means to contract very fast and
irregularly.
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4. Symptoms
Atrial fibrillation (AF) usually causes the heart's
lower chambers, the ventricles, to contract faster
than normal.
When this happens, the ventricles can't completely
fill with blood. Thus, they may not be able to pump
enough blood to the lungs and body. This can lead
to signs and symptoms, such as:
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5. Symptoms
-- Palpitations (feelings that your heart is skipping a
beat, fluttering, or beating too hard or fast)
-- Shortness of breath
-- Weakness or problems exercising
-- Chest pain
-- Dizziness or fainting
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6. Symptoms
-- Fatigue (tiredness)
-- Confusion
-- Atrial Fibrillation Complications
AF has two major complications—stroke and heart
failure.
Stroke
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7. Symptoms
During AF, the heart's upper chambers, the
atria, don't pump all of their blood to the
ventricles. Some blood pools in the atria. When
this happens, a blood clot (also called a thrombus)
can form.
If the clot breaks off and travels to the brain, it can
cause a stroke. (A clot that forms in one part of the
body and travels in the bloodstream to another
part of the body is called an embolus.)
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8. Symptoms
Blood-thinning medicines that reduce the risk of
stroke are an important part of treatment for
people who have AF.
Heart Failure
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9. Symptoms
Heart failure occurs if the heart can't pump
enough blood to meet the body's needs. AF can
lead to heart failure because the ventricles are
beating very fast and can't completely fill with
blood. Thus, they may not be able to pump enough
blood to the lungs and body.
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10. Symptoms
Fatigue and shortness of breath are common
symptoms of heart failure. A buildup of fluid in the
lungs causes these symptoms. Fluid also can build
up in the feet, ankles, and legs, causing weight
gain.
Lifestyle changes, medicines, and procedures or
surgery (rarely, a mechanical heart pump or heart
transplant) are the main treatments for heart
failure.
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11. Diagnosis
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is diagnosed based on your
medical and family histories, a physical exam, and
the results from tests and procedures.
Sometimes AF doesn't cause signs or symptoms.
Thus, it may be found during a physical exam or
EKG (electrocardiogram) test done for another
purpose.
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12. Diagnosis
If you have AF, your doctor will want to find out
what is causing it. This will help him or her plan the
best way to treat the condition.
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13. Treatment
Treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) depends on
how often you have symptoms, how severe they
are, and whether you already have heart disease.
General treatment options include
medicines, medical procedures, and lifestyle
changes.
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14. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
The goals of treating AF include:
-- Preventing blood clots from forming, thus
lowering the risk of stroke.
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15. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
-- Controlling how many times a minute the
ventricles contract. This is called rate control. Rate
control is important because it allows the
ventricles enough time to completely fill with
blood. With this approach, the abnormal heart
rhythm continues, but you feel better and have
fewer symptoms.
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16. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
-- Restoring a normal heart rhythm. This is called
rhythm control. Rhythm control allows the atria
and ventricles to work together to efficiently pump
blood to the body.
-- Treating any underlying disorder that's causing
or raising the risk of AF—for
example, hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid
hormone).
Who Needs Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation?
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17. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
People who have AF but don't have symptoms or
related heart problems may not need treatment.
AF may even go back to a normal heart rhythm on
its own. (This also can occur in people who have AF
with symptoms.)
In some people who have AF for the first
time, doctors may choose to use an electrical
procedure or medicine to restore a normal heart
rhythm.
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18. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
Repeat episodes of AF tend to cause changes to
the heart's electrical system, leading to persistent
or permanent AF. Most people who have
persistent or permanent AF need treatment to
control their heart rate and prevent complications.
**Specific Types of Treatment**
Blood Clot Prevention
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19. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
People who have AF are at increased risk for
stroke. This is because blood can pool in the
heart's upper chambers (the atria), causing a blood
clot to form. If the clot breaks off and travels to the
brain, it can cause a stroke.
Preventing blood clots from forming is probably
the most important part of treating AF. The
benefits of this type of treatment have been
proven in multiple studies.
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20. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
Doctors prescribe blood-thinning medicines to
prevent blood clots. These medicines include
warfarin (Coumadin®), dabigatran, heparin, and
aspirin.
People taking blood-thinning medicines need
regular blood tests to check how well the
medicines are working.
Rate Control
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21. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
Doctors can prescribe medicines to slow down the
rate at which the ventricles are beating. These
medicines help bring the heart rate to a normal
level.
Rate control is the recommended treatment for
most patients who have AF, even though an
abnormal heart rhythm continues and the heart
doesn't work as well as it should. Most people feel
better and can function well if their heart rates are
well-controlled.
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22. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
Medicines used to control the heart rate include
beta blockers (for example, metoprolol and
atenolol), calcium channel blockers (diltiazem and
verapamil), and digitalis (digoxin). Several other
medicines also are available.
Rhythm Control
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23. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
Restoring and maintaining a normal heart rhythm
is a treatment approach recommended for people
who aren't doing well with rate control treatment.
This treatment also may be used for people who
have only recently started having AF. The long-
term benefits of rhythm control have not been
proven conclusively yet.
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24. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
Doctors use medicines or procedures to control
the heart's rhythm. Patients often begin rhythm
control treatment in a hospital so that their hearts
can be closely watched.
The longer you have AF, the less likely it is that
doctors can restore a normal heart rhythm. This is
especially true for people who have had AF for 6
months or more.
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25. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
Restoring a normal rhythm also becomes less likely
if the atria are enlarged or if any underlying heart
disease worsens. In these cases, the chance that
AF will recur is high, even if you're taking medicine
to help convert AF to a normal rhythm.
Medicines
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26. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
Medicines used to control the heart rhythm
include
amiodarone, sotalol, flecainide, propafenone, dofe
tilide, and ibutilide. Sometimes older medicines—
such as quinidine, procainamide, and
disopyramide—are used.
Your doctor will carefully tailor the dose and type
of medicines he or she prescribes to treat your AF.
This is because medicines used to treat AF can
cause a different kind of arrhythmia.
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27. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
These medicines also can harm people who have
underlying diseases of the heart or other organs.
This is especially true for patients who have an
unusual heart rhythm problem called Wolff-
Parkinson-White syndrome.
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28. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
Your doctor may start you on a small dose of
medicine and then gradually increase the dose
until your symptoms are controlled. Medicines
used for rhythm control can be given regularly by
injection at a doctor's office, clinic, or hospital.
Or, you may routinely take pills to try to control AF
or prevent repeat episodes.
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29. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
If your doctor knows how you'll react to a
medicine, a specific dose may be prescribed for
you to take on an as-needed basis if you have an
episode of AF.
Procedures
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30. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
Doctors use several procedures to restore a normal
heart rhythm. For example, they may use electrical
cardioversion to treat a fast or irregular heartbeat.
For this procedure, low-energy shocks are given to
your heart to trigger a normal rhythm. You're
temporarily put to sleep before you receive the
shocks.
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31. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
Electrical cardioversion isn't the same as the
emergency heart shocking procedure often seen
on TV programs. It's planned in advance and done
under carefully controlled conditions.
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32. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
Before doing electrical cardioversion, your doctor
may recommend transesophageal
echocardiography (TEE). This test can rule out the
presence of blood clots in the atria. If clots are
present, you may need to take blood-thinning
medicines before the procedure. These medicines
can help get rid of the clots.
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33. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
Catheter ablation (ab-LA-shun) may be used to
restore a normal heart rhythm if medicines or
electrical cardioversion don't work. For this
procedure, a wire is inserted through a vein in the
leg or arm and threaded to the heart.
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34. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
Radio wave energy is sent through the wire to
destroy abnormal tissue that may be disrupting the
normal flow of electrical signals. An
electrophysiologist usually does this procedure in a
hospital. Your doctor may recommend a TEE
before catheter ablation to check for blood clots in
the atria.
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35. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
Sometimes doctors use catheter ablation to
destroy the atrioventricular (AV) node. The AV
node is where the heart's electrical signals pass
from the atria to the ventricles (the heart's lower
chambers). This procedure requires your doctor to
surgically implant a device called a
pacemaker, which helps maintain a normal heart
rhythm.
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36. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
Research on the benefits of catheter ablation as a
treatment for AF is still ongoing. (For more
information, go to the "Clinical Trials" section of
this article.)
Another procedure to restore a normal heart
rhythm is called maze surgery. For this
procedure, the surgeon makes small cuts or burns
in the atria. These cuts or burns prevent the spread
of disorganized electrical signals.
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37. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
This procedure requires open-heart surgery, so it's
usually done when a person requires heart surgery
for other reasons, such as for heart valve disease
(which can increase the risk of AF).
**Approaches To Treating Underlying Causes and
Reducing Risk Factors**
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38. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
Your doctor may recommend treatments for an
underlying cause of AF or to reduce AF risk factors.
For example, he or she may prescribe medicines to
treat an overactive thyroid, lower high blood
pressure, or manage high blood cholesterol.
Your doctor also may recommend lifestyle
changes, such as following a healthy diet, cutting
back on salt intake (to help lower blood
pressure), quitting smoking, and reducing stress.
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39. Treatment
**Goals of Treatment**
Limiting or avoiding alcohol, caffeine, or other
stimulants that may increase your heart rate also
can help reduce your risk for AF.
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40. Causes
Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs if the
heart's electrical signals don't travel through the
heart in a normal way.
Instead, they become very rapid and disorganized.
Damage to the heart's electrical system
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41. Causes
causes AF. The damage most often is the result of
other conditions that affect
the health of the heart, such as high blood
pressure and coronary
heart disease.
The risk of AF increases as you age.
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42. Causes
Inflammation also is thought to play a role in
causing AF.
Sometimes, the cause of AF is unknown.
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43. Risks
Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects millions of
people, and the number is rising. Men are more
likely than women to have the condition. In the
United States, AF is more common among Whites
than African Americans or Hispanic Americans.
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44. Risks
The risk of AF increases as you age. This is mostly
because your risk for heart disease and other
conditions that can cause AF also increases as you
age. However, about half of the people who have
AF are younger than 75.
AF is uncommon in children.
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45. Prevention
Following a healthy lifestyle and taking steps to
lower your risk for heart disease may help you
prevent atrial fibrillation (AF). These steps include:
-- Following a heart healthy diet that's low in
saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. A healthy
diet includes a variety of whole grains, fruits, and
vegetables daily.
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46. Prevention
-- Not smoking.
-- Being physically active.
-- Maintaining a healthy weight.
-- If you already have heart disease or other AF risk
factors, work with your doctor to manage your
condition.
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47. Prevention
In addition to adopting the healthy habits
above, which can help control heart disease, your
doctor may advise you to:
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48. Living and Coping
People who have atrial fibrillation (AF)—even
permanent AF—can live normal, active lives. If you
have AF, ongoing medical care is important.
Keep all your medical appointments. Bring a list of
all the medicines you're taking to every doctor and
emergency room visit. This will help your doctor
know exactly what medicines you're taking.
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49. Living and Coping
Follow your doctor's instructions for taking
medicines. Be careful about taking over-the-
counter medicines, nutritional supplements, and
cold and allergy medicines. Some of these
products contain stimulants that can trigger rapid
heart rhythms. Also, some over-the-counter
medicines can have harmful interactions with
heart rhythm medicines.
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50. Living and Coping
+++Tell your doctor if your medicines are causing
side effects, if your symptoms are getting worse, or
if you have new symptoms.
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51. Living and Coping
If you're taking blood-thinning medicines, you'll
need to be carefully monitored. For example, you
may need routine blood tests to check how the
medicines are working. Also, talk with your doctor
about your diet. Some foods, such as leafy green
vegetables, may interfere with warfarin, a blood-
thinning medicine.
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52. Living and Coping
Ask your doctor about physical activity, weight
control, and alcohol use. Find out what steps you
can take to manage your condition.
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53. Additional Resources
CDC
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
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