Attacks of atrial fibrillation

It happens that the heart starts to beat more often than usual, and then suddenly freezes. In the language of medicine, this phenomenon is called arrhythmia. At the same time, heart contractions are irregular, wrong. Arrhythmias occur in different species, but one of the most common is atrial fibrillation.

With each stroke of the heart there is a consistent reduction in all its departments - primarily the atria, and then the ventricles. Only this alternation provides a clear and effective work of the heart. Attacks of atrial fibrillation occur if one of the four phases of the cardiac cycle "disappears".Atrial muscle fibers lose the ability to work synchronously. As a result, the atria only chaotically twitch - as if flickering. From this, subsequently, the ventricles contract irregularly.

Why there are attacks of arrhythmia

There are many reasons leading to this disease. For example, heart disease: congenital heart defects, infectious heart disease and heart failure, the presence of coronary heart disease and its complications - myocardial infarction. Often, an attack of atrial fibrillation provokes a large amount of alcohol. Physicians even have such an expression - "table heart arrhythmia".At any time, it is possible to expect attacks of atrial fibrillation in people with thyroid gland diseases( especially with its hyperfunction) and other hormonal abnormalities.

Often arrhythmia can develop as a consequence of surgical intervention, stroke, great stress. Some of the medicines may also provoke its development. For example, if you want to lose weight, taking diuretics leads a person to a hospital bed. High risk of an attack of atrial fibrillation in people with diabetes, especially associated with obesity and high blood pressure. Hereditary predisposition also matters. However, doctors can not always determine the exact cause of an attack of atrial fibrillation.

Symptoms of

Signs of an intensified heartbeat signal about the onset of an attack. At the same time, it seems that the heart will jump right out of the chest. The person himself feels that his heart starts to beat irregularly. But sometimes the attack of an arrhythmia proceeds imperceptibly. It can be established only by palpating the pulse. The disease is sometimes detected only during dispensary ECG.But it also happens that the first manifestation of the disease become severe complications.

Than an attack of atrial fibrillation

is very often accompanied by tachycardia. At the heart of this huge load. As a result, often there are pains behind the breastbone - the first symptoms of angina pectoris or myocardial infarction. After each attack of atrial fibrillation, cardiac efficiency decreases. Over time, this leads to a complication, such as heart failure.

How to maintain the heart rate

After the heart rate is restored, it must be maintained. This requires treatment of the disease that led to atrial fibrillation. If seizures occur seldom, then special antiarrhythmic therapy is not needed. However, most likely, it is necessary to take medicines that prevent the development of arrhythmia. Sometimes, with frequent and heavily tolerated attacks, one has to resort to surgical treatment.