Health Encyclopedia

Atrial fibrillation - discharge

Definition

Atrial fibrillation or flutter is a common type of abnormal heartbeat. The heart rhythm is fast and irregular. You were in the hospital to treat this condition.

Alternative Names

Auricular fibrillation - discharge; A-fib - discharge; AF - discharge; Afib - discharge

When You're in the Hospital

You may have been in the hospital because you have atrial fibrillation. This condition occurs when your heart beats irregularly and often faster than normal. You may have developed this problem while you were in the hospital for a heart attack, heart surgery, or other serious illness such as pneumonia or injury.

Treatments you may have received include:

• Pacemaker
• Cardioversion (this is a procedure done to change the beat of your heart back to normal. It can be done with medicine or an electric shock.)
• Cardiac ablation

You may have been given medicines to change your heartbeat or slow it down. Some are:

• Beta blockers, such as metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol-XL) or atenolol (Senormin, Tenormin)
• Calcium channel blockers, such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac) or verapamil (Calan, Verelan)
• Digoxin
• Antiarrhythmics (medicines that control heart rhythm), such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), flecainide (Tambocor), or sotalol (Betapace)

Taking Your Medicines

Have all of your prescriptions filled before you go home. You should take your medicines the way your health care provider has told you to.

• Tell your provider about other medicines you are taking including over-the-counter medicines, herbs, or supplements. Ask if it is OK to keep taking these. Also, tell your provider if you are taking antacids.
• Never stop taking any of your medicines without first talking to your provider. Do not skip a dose unless you are told to.
• Sometimes certain medicines are prescribed to be taken only when you have symptoms. Be sure you understand when to take your medicines.

You may be taking aspirin or clopidogrel (Plavix), prasugrel (Effient), ticagrelor (Brilinta), warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, or another blood thinner such as apixiban (Eliquis), rivaroxaban (Xarelto), dabigatran (Pradaxa) to help keep your blood from clotting.

If you are taking any blood thinner:

• You need to watch for any bleeding or bruising, and let your provider know if it happens.
• Tell dentist, pharmacist, and other providers that you are taking this drug.
• You will need to have extra blood tests to make sure your dose is correct if you are taking warfarin.

Lifestyle

Limit how much alcohol you drink. Ask your provider when it is OK to drink, and how much is safe.

Do not smoke cigarettes. If you do smoke, your provider can help you quit.

Follow a heart healthy diet.

• Avoid salty and fatty foods.
• Stay away from fast-food restaurants.
• Your provider can refer you to a dietitian, who can help you plan a healthy diet.
• If you take warfarin, do not make big changes in your diet or take vitamins without checking with your provider.

Try to avoid stressful situations.

• Tell your provider if you feel stressed or sad.
• Talking to a counselor may help.

Learn how to check your pulse, and check it every day.

• It is better to take your own pulse than to use a machine.
• A machine may be less accurate because of atrial fibrillation.

Limit the amount of caffeine you drink (found in coffee, tea, colas, and many other beverages.)

Do not use cocaine, amphetamines, or any other illegal drugs. They may make your heart beat faster, and cause permanent damage to your heart.

Ask your provider for recommendations for physical activity and exercise.

When to Call the Doctor

Call for emergency help if you feel:

• Pain, pressure, tightness, or heaviness in your chest, arm, neck, or jaw
• Shortness of breath
• Gas pains or indigestion
• Sweaty, or if you lose color
• Lightheaded
• Fast heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, or your heart is pounding uncomfortably
• Numbness or weakness in your face, arm, or leg
• Blurry or decreased vision
• Problems speaking or understanding speech
• Dizziness, loss of balance, or falling
• Severe headache
• Bleeding

References

Calkins H, Tomaselli GF, Morady F. Atrial fibrillation: clinical features, mechanisms, and management. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 66.

January CT, Wann LS, Alpert JS, et al. 2014 AHA/ACC/HRS guideline for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines and the Heart Rhythm Society. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014;64(21):e1-76. PMID: 24685669 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24685669/.

January CT, Wann LS, Calkins H, et al. 2019 AHA/ACC/HRS focused update of the 2014 AHA/ACC/HRS guideline for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines and the Heart Rhythm Society. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2019;74:104–132. PMID: 30686041 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30686041/.

Zimetbaum P. Supraventricular cardiac arrhythmias. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 58.

Review Date:1/1/2023
Reviewed By:Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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