What are the "danger signs" of atrial fibrillation? Pay attention to heart health in autumn and winter

The human heart needs to keep beating regularly. Once the rhythm is broken, it is easy to be dangerous. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common arrhythmia. AF affects the heart's blood delivery and harms other organs. For example, AF is one of the common causes of cerebral infarction.

In autumn and winter, atrial fibrillation patients face a "challenge". Because cold weather can cause high blood pressure, faster heart rate, and increased blood coagulation, people with atrial fibrillation are more likely to develop blood clots in autumn and winter compared to the high temperature in summer.

1. "Danger Signals" of Atrial Fibrillation Normally, a healthy heart will not develop atrial fibrillation. However, if there are factors such as rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, hyperthyroidism, hypertension, long-term smoking, and heavy drinking, the normal rhythm of the heartbeat may be disrupted, resulting in atrial fibrillation.

1. I can clearly feel my heart beating.

2. The pulse is irregular, sometimes strong and sometimes weak, or there is a "missed beat" phenomenon.

3. Symptoms of chest tightness and chest pain occur.

4. Easily fatigued, shortness of breath and wheezing occur with even the slightest exertion.

5. Symptoms such as dizziness and black spots in front of the eyes may occur.

2. How to determine whether you have atrial fibrillation If you have atrial fibrillation "danger signal", you need to go to the hospital for an electrocardiogram to confirm the diagnosis. A normal electrocardiogram or a 24-hour dynamic electrocardiogram can confirm the diagnosis. However, it should be noted that some people's atrial fibrillation may occur after a few days, or even after 1 to 2 months. Going to the hospital for an electrocardiogram may result in a missed diagnosis.

It is recommended that you prepare a convenient electrocardiograph for yourself. When you feel heart discomfort, you can measure and record the electrocardiogram at any time, and then ask a doctor to interpret it, and you can find traces of atrial fibrillation.

3. How to eliminate atrial fibrillation After atrial fibrillation is discovered, the heart disease that causes atrial fibrillation should be treated. For example, blood pressure should be controlled, hyperthyroidism should be treated, smoking and alcohol should be stopped, and atrial fibrillation should also be treated. The main treatments for atrial fibrillation include electrical cardioversion, the use of antiarrhythmic drugs, and interventional ablation.

Using electrical cardioversion can quickly restore normal sinus rhythm, but atrial fibrillation is prone to recurrence. Taking antiarrhythmic drugs can also restore normal heart rhythm, but it is easy to recur when the drugs are stopped. Relatively speaking, atrial fibrillation can be cured by ablation, but ablation is risky and has a certain failure rate. The doctor needs to choose the appropriate treatment method according to the patient's condition.

4. Anticoagulant treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation When atrial fibrillation occurs, the left ventricle functions normally and can maintain the body's blood supply. However, the left atrium will lose its normal pumping function due to high-frequency fibrillation, and the blood in the atrial appendage will easily form turbulence, forming "wall thrombus" on the atrial wall. Once it falls off, it will become an embolus that flows with the blood and easily block the cerebral artery, causing cerebral infarction.

For some patients whose atrial fibrillation cannot be eliminated, they need to use anticoagulant drugs (warfarin, rivaroxaban, etc.) for anticoagulant treatment, which can inhibit coagulation factors, reduce blood coagulation, avoid the formation of mural thrombus and prevent cerebral infarction.

5. Pay attention to heart health in autumn and winter 1. Keep warm: add clothes in time, keep warm and avoid colds.

2. Pay attention to your diet: People with atrial fibrillation should avoid irritating foods, such as chili peppers, curry, etc.; control daily salt intake to between 3 and 6 grams; do not drink strong tea, coffee, cola and other stimulating beverages.

3. Treatment of underlying diseases: People with "three highs" should use medication to control their blood pressure, blood lipids and blood sugar. Do not adjust or stop medication without authorization and maintain regular medication.

4. Seek medical treatment: If you feel unwell, seek medical treatment promptly and have a doctor examine you.

In summary, elderly friends should pay more attention to their heart health in autumn and winter. If there are "danger signals" of atrial fibrillation, they should go to the hospital for examination in time. If problems are found, they should intervene early and choose appropriate treatment methods under the guidance of doctors. If you have any questions about medication, please consult a doctor or pharmacist. I am pharmacist Huazi. Welcome to follow me and share more health knowledge.