Question 1

what medications are  prescribed for atrial fibrillation?

Accepted Answer

Rate vs rhythm : For rare control metoprolol, diltiazem, carvidelol most common

rhythm control is amiodarone most common. Also include sotalol, procainamide, Dofetilide (tikosyn), multaq( new medication since last few yr).

Question 2

is there a cure for atrial fibrillation? diagnosed in 2004.  taking medication to control it. still have flare-ups frequently.

Accepted Answer

Yes in some cases: Yes in some cases. The medical treatment can be focused on just keep your hear rate low or to try to convert you into normal rhythm. Cardio version is another treatment when you shock the patient under sedation. Procedure wise electro physiologists can do an ablation through the groin. Surgeons can do the ablation preferably minimally invasive through the side or a hybrid procedure - convergent.

Question 3

after cabg why is atrial fibrillation common even in people without a history? does it resolve by discharge and if not do these patients get discharged on certain medications?

Accepted Answer

A-fib: The causes of A-fib are not clearly known. CABG can harm the vascularture and the structure of the heart. These could lead to A-fib. The procedure itself can have long term consequences due to general anesthesia, and circulatory support, etc. in addition, the degree and the length of myocardial ischemia are not know due to poor current state of the art in diagnostic tools...

Question 4

does left ventricular atrial fibrillation in te past wid medication hav a say on sex life. does impotency n premature ejaculation result from it.

Accepted Answer

Yes: Your question if it is what does the medicines to treat atrial fibillation can affect sex life ? Please clarify
the answer is yes 
betabloers especially can affect sex life.

Question 5

i suffer from atrial fibrillation and am under a cardiologist care taking medication.  recently i have lost 20lbs.  what other actions can i take to reduce the occurrence of an afib episode?  are there any health life style changes i can pursue?

Accepted Answer

Atrial fibrillation: I still advocate minimizing intake of caffeine,alcohol and prohibition of smoking and maintenance of normal blood pressure to reduce recurrence of a fib. A cardiologist is best qualified to evaluate and follow you, order appropriate tests and,if advisable, certain medications to prevent or treat a fib episodes.

Question 6

is flecanide a safe medication for svt and/or wpw with atrial fibrillation?

Accepted Answer

Flecamide: this is a dangerous medicine but used in what you have as untested it may be more dangerous. Discuss with your Dr.

Question 7

what meds can i use to control my a fib? what are the risks and side effects of medications to control my atrial fibrillation or to reduce the risk of stroke? what are the risks/benefits of other treatment options?

Accepted Answer

The : The treatment of atrial fibrillation has two important components: 1) treating the rhythm, and 2) preventing stroke. There are two strategies for treating the rhythm. The first is called the rate control strategy, and involves using medicines to prevent the heart rate from going too fast. These medicines do not prevent atrial fibrillation episodes, but are generally effective at preventing fast rhythms and also tend to have few side effects. This is a good strategy for people who do not have severe symptoms from atrial fibrillation, such as older less active people. The second strategy is called the rhythm control strategy, and involves using medications that are designed to maintain normal sinus rhythm and prevent episodes of atrial fibrillation. This strategy may be more desirable for people who are vey symptomatic when in atrial fibrillation such as young, active people. Unfortunately, this strategy tends to be less successful because recurrence of atrial fibrillation is common. The rhythm control medications also tend to have more side effects than the rate control medicines, and in some cases the side effects can be severe. Neither strategy is better than the other at preventing stroke.

For stroke prevention, warfarin (also called coumadin) is typically used for people at moderate or high risk. This medication has been shown to be superior in preventing stroke, but it also increases the risk of dangerous bleeding because it is a blood thinner. Patients at lower risk for stroke may just take an Aspirin tablet daily. This has a lower bleeding risk than warfarin.

Lastly, some people are candidates for surgical or catheter-based ablation procedures. These procedures can cure atrial fibrillation, but are not always successful and not all people are good candidates.

Question 8

could you tell me  if person has atrial fibrillation, is taking metoprolol , valium as needed .also now require second medication for high blood pressure which one can go with valium  above.

Accepted Answer

Adjust Metoprolol: Most antihypertensives may be used.  However, my first choice is to adjust the dose of metoprolol.  Rate control is more important than rhythm control with atrial fibrillation.  Thus, metoprolol should be adjusted to maintain the heart rate at 65-75 beats per minute.  Another medication to consider is dilantin.   Dilantin is very safe, and is an effective anti-arrhythmic.  See book by jack dreyfus.

Question 9

having atrial fibrillation , i do not feel fast heart beat or shortness of breath , due to medication. would air travel for 6 hours be a problem?

Accepted Answer

C Below: You have asymptomatic Afib. Depending on your CHADS2 Score or CHADSVASC you should be at least on Aspirin. My guess is that you likely should be on Warfarin also.
- Air travel is as safe as staying at home watching a TV Show. What is important is your antiplatelt therapy or anticoagulation as needed.

Question 10

what 3-5 drugs are commonly given for atrial fibrillation?

Accepted Answer

Lots of choices: If the goal is just to control the heart rate, the common choices are drugs that slow the heart rate like a beta blocker or calcium channel blocker and a blood thinner to lower the risk of stroke. Classically coumadin, (warfarin) but there are newer ones ( xarelto, for example). Sometimes there are drugs given after the heart has been restored to a normal rhythm that help maintain this, such as amiodarone.

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Doctor answers about:

Atrial fibrillation medication

A member asked:

What medications are prescribed for atrial fibrillation?

A member asked:

Is there a cure for atrial fibrillation? diagnosed in 2004. taking medication to control it. still have flare-ups frequently.

A member asked:

After cabg why is atrial fibrillation common even in people without a history? does it resolve by discharge and if not do these patients get discharged on certain medications?

A member asked:

Does left ventricular atrial fibrillation in te past wid medication hav a say on sex life. does impotency n premature ejaculation result from it.

A member asked:

I suffer from atrial fibrillation and am under a cardiologist care taking medication. recently i have lost 20lbs. what other actions can i take to reduce the occurrence of an afib episode? are there any health life style changes i can pursue?

A member asked:

Is flecanide a safe medication for svt and/or wpw with atrial fibrillation?

A member asked:

What meds can i use to control my a fib? what are the risks and side effects of medications to control my atrial fibrillation or to reduce the risk of stroke? what are the risks/benefits of other treatment options?

A member asked:

Could you tell me if person has atrial fibrillation, is taking metoprolol , valium as needed .also now require second medication for high blood pressure which one can go with valium above.

A member asked:

Having atrial fibrillation , i do not feel fast heart beat or shortness of breath , due to medication. would air travel for 6 hours be a problem?

A member asked:

What 3-5 drugs are commonly given for atrial fibrillation?

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