Atrial Fibrillation Treatment Turkey

    Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common rhythm disorders. The primary function of the heart is to pump blood throughout the body. Thus, we continue our life activities. The heart normally has a certain rhythm. That is, almost the same number of heart beats per minute is seen, and this number is between 60 and 100 in adults. In some cases, the heartbeat may become irregular due to abnormal formations from certain parts of the heart. Due to this irregular heart rhythm, the heart rate may exceed 100 beats per minute. Rhythm disorders can be called by different names depending on which part of the heart they originate from and why they occur. One of the most common among these is atrial fibrillation.

    Atrial fibrillation is more common in elderly patients, but it can also occur in younger people. If not treated on time and properly, it can cause abnormal growths in the heart muscle and serious diseases such as heart failure. Today, thanks to advanced and modern applications such as ablation, it is possible to permanently treat atrial fibrillation. In this article, we will talk about what atrial fibrillation is and how it can be treated.

    What is Atrial Fibrillation (AF)?

    Atrial fibrillation is a rhythm disorder caused by abnormal formations in the atria. The atria are known in medical language as the “atria”. The electrical impulses that normally occur in the right atrium reach the target areas of the heart at regular and expected rates. Thus, certain parts of the heart contract and blood is pumped throughout the body. However, in atrial fibrillation patients, electrical signals occur in the left atrium in addition to the right atrium. These signals cause the left atrium to contract at a rate of up to 600 per minute. Fortunately, most of these beats do not cause the heart to contract, and the control mechanisms in the heart prevent it. Therefore, due to atrial fibrillation, the heart rate per minute increases up to a maximum of 200. Compared to normal heart rhythm, this number is also quite high. Therefore, atrial fibrillation is a condition that should not be taken lightly. If not treated in time, it can lead to heart enlargement and heart failure.

    What are the causes of atrial fibrillation?

    Atrial fibrillation is most commonly seen as a result of hypertension. In patients with chronic hypertension, the heart ventricles begin to thicken and undergo changes. This can lead to atrial fibrillation over time. In addition, conditions such as the following can lead to atrial fibrillation:

    • Mitral valve stenosis.
    • Hyperthyroidism.
    • Some lung diseases.
    • Congenital heart defects.
    • Some heart surgeries.
    • Pneumonia.
    • Some viral infections (after Corona infection).
    • Obesity
    • Sleep apnea

    There are many diseases and conditions that can lead to atrial fibrillation. It is recommended to consult a cardiologist so that the underlying causes of atrial fibrillation can be investigated.

    What Are the Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation?

    Symptoms of atrial fibrillation may include:

    • Irregularity in heartbeat, resulting discomfort and palpitation.
    • Shortness of breath.
    • Pain around the chest.
    • Dizziness.
    • Fainting (Syncope).

    Symptoms due to atrial fibrillation are usually temporary. However, in some cases, they can become permanent. Therefore, it is recommended not to interrupt the treatment of atrial fibrillation.

    What Are the Risks of Atrial Fibrillation?

    Atrial fibrillation is generally seen in the elderly and patients with chronic hypertension. However, it can also be encountered in young people. The negative effects of atrial fibrillation may be less felt at younger ages. However, these effects should not be underestimated because;

    • If atrial fibrillation is not treated on time, it can lead to enlargement of the heart muscle and heart failure. The continuous high-speed operation of the heart causes a decrease in the performance of the heart after a while. As a result, its efficiency decreases and a condition known as heart failure may occur.
    • Especially in the elderly, the risk of stroke (stroke) increases due to atrial fibrillation. This risk may be quite high, especially in individuals without atrial fibrillation.

    The risks of atrial fibrillation should not be underestimated. Although it seems to have no serious risks in the short term, it is very dangerous to cause diseases such as heart failure in the long term. Again, the risk of stroke is too important to be underestimated.

    How to do Atrial Fibrillation Treatment 

    Two approach are generally used during the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The first of these is drug therapy. The adverse effects of atrial fibrillation can be alleviated with medication. Patients may not feel any negativity if they use their medications regularly. However, medications do not permanently cure atrial fibrillation. If they are left, the disease; Its effects, which reduce the quality of life of the person and are quite dangerous in the long term, are seen again. Another method used in the treatment of atrial fibrillation is ablation therapy. Thanks to the ablation treatment, the problematic area in the heart that causes arrhythmia can be eliminated. Thus, atrial fibrillation can be treated permanently with ablation therapy  patients can also avoid using drugs for life. For detailed information on the subject, you can review the article named Atrial Fibrillation Ablation on our website.