Atrial Fibrillation Medical Reference
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Can AFib Be Cured?
There is no cure for atrial fibrillation. But some treatments can make symptoms go away for a long time. Drugs, surgeries, and good health habits can help people with AFib live a long and healthy life.
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Atrial Fibrillation: Prognosis, Life Expectancy
Learn what might affect your outcome if you have atrial fibrillation (AFib).
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What to Know About Atrial Fibrillation and Blood Clots
Atrial fibrillation can cause blood clots that can lead to strokes. Find out the symptoms of blood clots, how to prevent a stroke, and how to care for someone with atrial fibrillation.
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Lone AFib: What Is It?
You may have heard of atrial fibrillation (AFib), but what about a special form of AFib called lone AFib? There's a bit of controversy around it. Learn the facts.
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What Is a Wandering Atrial Pacemaker?
A wandering atrial pacemaker is a relatively rare condition that is often mistaken as atrial fibrillation, or AFib. Learn more.
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Multifocal Atrial Tachycardia: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment
Get the facts on multifocal atrial tachycardia, a type of heart rhythm problem in which the heart beats too fast due to certain problems with the heart’s electrical system.
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HAS-BLED & Score Results
Named for risk factors, a HAS-BLED score determines your chances of bleeding when you have AFib and take blood thinners. Learn more about HAS-BLED here.
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What Is the Valsalva Maneuver?
The Valsalva maneuver is a breathing method that may slow your heart when it’s beating too fast. It works by having you breathe out strongly through your mouth while you close your nose tight.
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Silent AFib: Can You Have AFib and Not Know It?
You can have atrial fibrillation and have no symptoms at all. Learn what to do if you’re at risk and why getting treatment is so important.
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Heart Palpitations: Anxiety or AFib?
Heart palpitations mean your heart feels like it’s racing or skipping beats. It can be caused by anxiety or a more serious heart condition known as atrial fibrillation. Read more to learn how to tell the difference.
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How to Stop an AFib Episode
Some episodes of AFib can come and go on their own. Sometimes, you may be able to take steps to help ease symptoms or stop an episode when it starts.
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What Other Health Problems Can AFib Cause?
Atrial fibrillation affects how your heart pumps blood. That can cause problems like stroke and heart failure, but these complications are preventable.
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Will I Need a Pacemaker for My AFib?
Atrial fibrillation can make your heart beat with an unsteady rhythm. If you have AFib and your heart is beating too slowly, you might need a pacemaker, along with other treatments, to keep it at a safe rate.
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Should You Try Ablation or Medication to Treat AFib?
For years, medication and ablation were the leading AFib treatments. Now research shows ablation may work better than drugs.
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6 Medications That Can Raise Your Heart Rate
Tachycardia, or a fast heart rate, can be caused by many medications, including antibiotics, antidepressants, and even certain supplements.
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Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a circulatory disorder that can make you feel faint and dizzy. Learn more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment of this condition.
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How Weight Loss Can Affect Your Risk of AFib
Extra pounds can raise your risk of an abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation. The good news: Weight loss can help you beat this condition.
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What Are Premature Atrial Contractions?
If you feel like your heart occasionally skips a beat, you could actually be having an extra heartbeat. One condition that causes this extra beat is premature atrial contractions.
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What to Expect From Cardiac Ablation for AFib
How long before you're back on your feet? Will it cure your AFib? Your recovery and results will depend on which procedure you have, but here's a general idea.
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Are Supplements OK When You Have AFib?
Which supplements may help your AFib? Which ones won't? Will any cause problems with your medication? Find out what to consider before you take anything.
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Normal Sinus Rhythm vs. Atrial Fibrillation Irregularities
When your heart is working like it should, your heartbeat is steady with a normal sinus rhythm. When it's not, you can have the most common irregular heartbeat, called AFib.
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What's the Link Between AFib and Thyroid Disease?
Learn about the link between an overactive thyroid and atrial fibrillation (AFib), when to call your doctor, and what tests and treatments you can expect.
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Can AFib Lead to Heart Failure?
Learn how heart failure and atrial fibrillation (AFib) are related and what raises your odds of having both.
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Your Atrial Fibrillation Medical Team
Treating atrial fibrillation takes a team effort. WebMD introduces you to the doctors and specialists who'll help keep your heart healthy.
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Vagal Maneuvers: 6 Techniques To Slow Your Heart Rate
If you have a condition that causes your heart rate to speed up, a vagal maneuver may help slow it down. WebMD explains how this works and what you may be able do at home.
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