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The goals of treating atrial fibrillation (also known as AF or AFib) depend on the individual.
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To manage atrial fibrillation (also known as AF or AFib), your doctor may recommend treatment that controls the heart rate. The goal of rate control is to improve symptoms, prevent heart muscle damage, improve your tolerance to exercise, improve quality of life, and avoid being hospitalized. Rate control involves using medication that slows your heart rate and prevents a rapid heartbeat.
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To manage atrial fibrillation (also known as AF or AFib), your doctor may recommend treatment that controls the heart rhythm. The main goals of rhythm control are to relieve symptoms and to improve quality of life. Rhythm control involves using treatment that restores the irregular heartbeat of AF to the normal heart rhythm.
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Most people with atrial fibrillation (also known as AF or AFib) need to take anticoagulants or antiplatelets. The main goal of these medications, known as blood thinners, is to reduce your risk of stroke. In addition to atrial fibrillation, other risk factors for stroke include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, age (over 75 years), and prior stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA, or "mini-stroke").
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To manage atrial fibrillation (also known as AF or AFib), your doctor may recommend treatment that involves medical procedures or devices. These can be used in addition to or instead of medications that control heart rate or rhythm. You may still need medications to prevent blood clots to reduce the risk of stroke.
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