ATRIAL FIBRILLATION

Hannah Morgan

Lance Killian

October 12, 2010

HS2

WHAT HAPPENS?

the heart's two small upper chambers (the atria)

quiver instead of beating effectively. Blood isn't

pumped completely out of them, so it may pool and

clot. If a piece of a blood clot in the atria leaves the

heart and becomes lodged in an artery in the brain, a

stroke results.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS?

A fluttering feeling in the chest

Chest pain or pressure

Feeling out of breath

Feeling weak or tired

Dizziness and sweating

Feeling faint or lightheaded

WHO GETS IT?

Men are more likely to get atrial fibrillation than

women. It's more common if you're older.

ARE THERE WAYS TO PREVENT IT?

A healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, treatment for

high blood pressure, and other measures can prevent

atrial fibrillation by protecting you from heart disease.

Manage your stress

exercise regularly

control your blood pressure

and do not smoke.

HOW IS IT DIAGNOSED?

Some people who have atrial fibrillation (AF) don't

have symptoms. For these people, AF often is found

during a physical exam or EKG (•Modifications to

your diet and lifestyle, such as eliminating things

that can cause or worsen health problems. ) test

done for another purpose. Other times, AF is

diagnosed after a person goes to the doctor because

of symptoms.

HOW IS IT TREATED?

General treatment options include medicines,

medical procedures, and lifestyle changes.

These medicines include warfarin (Coumadin),

heparin, and aspirin.

WHAT IS THE PROGNOSIS?

The prognosis, or expectation, for people with atrial

fibrillation depends on many factors, such as:

Overall health and whether other heart problems are

present

Age

Type of atrial fibrillation

Symptoms

Response to treatment.

WORK CITIED

www.multaq.com

www.americanheart.org

http://www.health.com

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov

http://heart.emedtv.com