what to report to provider immediately if patient has afib

If an AFib episode lasts 24 to 48 hours with no break or if symptoms worsen, call your physician, Armbruster says. Call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately if you experience any symptoms of a stroke, which are sudden weakness or numbness or difficulty speaking or seeing.

Full Answer

Should I talk to my doctor about my AFIB symptoms?

I highly recommend that all people diagnosed with AFib discuss at-home symptom management strategies with their primary provider. During mild attacks, it is possible for a person trained in symptom reducing techniques to manage their symptoms without the need for medical intervention.

When should I go to the emergency room for an AFIB attack?

As a general guideline for everyone, I recommend that you go to the emergency room for a AFib attack if: You feel short of breath, dizzy, or light headed Any attempt at reducing your symptoms is not successful You feel out of control or stressed You are alone and don’t have anyone around to help monitor your symptoms You are experiencing chest pain

How can I care for someone with atrial fibrillation (AFIB)?

Caregiving for someone with atrial fibrillation. Do something fun, such as watching a comedy movie, going to a park, reading a book, gardening or participating in other hobbies you enjoy. Notice signs of depression or stress. If you feel depressed or stressed, don't hesitate to get professional help. Get support.

What are the risks of AFIB?

It's the biggest risk with AFib. Your loved one is five times more likely to have a stroke than other people. Stroke can also bring on a severe headache, vision problems, dizziness, confusion, trouble speaking, or numbness or weakness on one side of the body. How to help: Call 911. Don't wait to see if the symptoms go away on their own.

What to do if a patient is in AFib?

How to help: Call a doctor. AFib episodes rarely cause serious problems, but they'll need to get checked out. If they're uncomfortable or their heart is beating rapidly, call 911 or go to an emergency room. Doctors may use medications or a device called a cardioverter to help their heart go back to a normal rhythm.

What are nursing interventions for atrial fibrillation?

Standard treatment of atrial fibrillation There are three main components to the treatment of AF: - Control of ventricular rate; - Restoration of sinus rhythm; - Prevention of embolism with anticoagulation therapy.

What do you monitor for atrial fibrillation?

The evaluation of patients who develop AF includes a medical history and physical examination, an electrocardiogram (ECG), and an echocardiogram (cardiac echo). Monitoring devices such as a Holter monitor, portable event monitor or a transtelephonic monitor can also be used.

What is the first line treatment for atrial fibrillation?

Beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers are first-line agents for rate control in AF. These drugs can be administered either intravenously or orally. They are effective at rest and with exertion.

What are the top 5 nursing interventions that need to be considered with a patient with a heart failure?

Nursing interventions for a patient with HF focuses on management of the patient's activities and fluid intake.Promoting activity tolerance. ... Managing fluid volume. ... Controlling anxiety. ... Minimizing powerlessness.

What are nursing diagnosis for AFib?

Nursing care of patients who experience lone atrial fibrillation include the following nursing diagnoses: Anxiety. Decreased activity tolerance. Decreased cardiac output.

Should atrial fibrillation be monitored?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and is strongly associated with stroke risk and a variety of cardiovascular conditions. AF early detection is of paramount importance, in order to define proper medical treatment.

What is the most common treatment for atrial fibrillation?

Heart rate medicines: The most common way to treat atrial fibrillation is with drugs that control your heartbeat....Potassium channel blockers, which slow the electrical signals that cause AFib:Amiodarone (Cordarone, Nexterone Pacerone),Dofetilide (Tikosyn)Sotalol (Betapace, Sorine, Sotylize)

How do you stop AFib immediately?

6 Ways to Stop an AFib EpisodeEngage in deep, mindful breathing. ... Get some exercise. ... Valsalva maneuver. ... Practice yoga. ... Put some cold water on your face. ... Contact a health professional.

What is one of the primary concerns for a patient presenting with atrial fibrillation?

AF can produce bothersome symptoms that affect quality of life, but patients with AF also have a substantial risk of thromboembolic stroke, AF is associated with a fivefold increased risk of stroke, threefold risk of heart failure. and twofold risk of dementia and mortality.

How to tell if someone has AFIB?

They may feel faint, anxious, or confused. And they may notice that their heart is fluttering or pounding. How to help: Call a doctor. AFib episodes rarely cause serious problems, but they'll need to get checked out.

What are the complications of AFIB?

Heart Attack. Stroke. Most episodes of atrial fibrillation aren't life-threatening, but an irregular heartbeat can cause complications like a heart attack or stroke.

What to do if you have a heart attack and you vomit?

They may vomit or feel tingling or pain in their back, shoulders, arm, or jaw. How to help: If they have these warning signs, call 911 right away, even if you're not sure it's a heart attack. It's better to be wrong than to wait too long. The 911 operator will stay on the phone with you until help arrives.

What to wear if someone takes blood thinners?

That way, you can share the list with medical professionals during any emergency. If your loved one takes blood thinners, they should wear a medical bracelet or tag saying so. You'll also want to know what happens during an AFib episode, heart attack, and stroke, and the different warning signs of each.

How do you know if you have a stroke?

Your loved one is five times more likely to have a stroke than other people. The symptoms: Remember the initials F.A.S.T. Stroke can also bring on a severe headache, vision problems, dizziness, confusion, trouble speaking, or numbness or weakness on one side of the body. How to help: Call 911.

Can AFIB be a serious problem?

AFib episodes rarely cause serious problems, but they'll need to get checked out. If they're uncomfortable or their heart is beating rapidly, call 911 or go to an emergency room. Doctors may use medications or a device called a cardioverter to help their heart go back to a normal rhythm.

What to do if someone is taking Jantovin?

If your loved one is taking the blood thinner warfarin (Jantovin), he or she will need regular blood tests to monitor its effects. You may also need to take him or her for other lab tests or doctor's appointments.

Can AFIB cause strokes?

AFib can increase the risk of blood clots, which can lead to strokes. Your loved one may need to take blood-thinning medications to reduce the risk. It's important to take these medications exactly as prescribed. You may need to monitor your loved one's medications and give reminders to take the appropriate doses.

What are the risk factors for atrial fibrillation?

Risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, and obesity as well as conditions such as diabetes or heart disease increase the likelihood that a patient may get atrial fibrillation.

Why is the heart less effective during atrial fibrillation?

During atrial fibrillation, the heart is a less effective pump because of the quivering as well as not emptying completely. This causes the blood to pool and a clot can form. The clot can venture out of the heart into the lungs (PE), brain (stroke) or extremities (DVT).

What causes a rapid heartbeat?

An electrical activity disturbance in the heart that causes an irregular and often rapid heartbeat. The atria quiver sending confusing electrical signals to the ventricles, leaving them unsure of when to contract thus beating irregularly. During atrial fibrillation, the heart is a less effective pump because of the quivering as well as not emptying completely. This causes the blood to pool and a clot can form. The clot can venture out of the heart into the lungs (PE), brain (stroke) or extremities (DVT).

What is the best way to control heart rate?

A heart can only sustain rapid beating for so long before it tires out. Using beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and cardiac glycosides will help control the rate of the heart beat. Beta Blockers: They block beta 1 receptors from being stimulated.

What to do if you have atrial fibrillation?

Once you’ve received a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, you will probably have countless questions running through your head. There may even be important questions that you don’t know to ask yet. The best next step is to make an appointment with your cardiologist to get informed about your condition. From managing your symptoms to looking ...

What are the symptoms of AFIB?

Make a list of all your symptoms and share them with him on your next visit. Symptoms of AFib might include: Lightheadedness. Fatigue.

What is the goal of AFIB treatment?

The goal of treatment is to preserve your health and to get you back to a normal lifestyle as soon as possible . Your cardiologist will devise a course of treatment based on your symptoms. Educate yourself to become a better AFib patient by asking questions such as:

Is AFIB a scary condition?

At first, AFib sounds like a frightening condition, as does anything dealing with the heart. In fact, most AFib patients live relatively normal lives, as long as they take care of themselves and follow their doctors’ recommendations. Below are some questions to ask your cardiologist about your AFib:

The 7 Best Ways to Stop an AFib Attack

If you find yourself experiencing a very occasional incident of AFib, you need not panic provided you aren’t about to pass out, you’re experiencing chest discomfort, or you’re short of breath. Of course, if AFib is happening repeatedly then you need to see your cardiac electrophysiologist or “EP” as soon as possible.

2. Rehydrate

Next, always be ready to rehydrate. As dehydration is a big AFib trigger, many of our patients report that they are able to quickly get back to sinus rhythm simply by rehydrating. Always travel with clean water at arm’s reach.

3. Optimize Your Electrolytes

Third, keep your electrolytes up. Low levels of magnesium and potassium are another common AFib trigger. A quick boost through electrolyte-heavy foods, or drinks like tomato juice or low-sodium vegetable juices, is always a good bet.

4. Exercise Away Your AFib Attack

Fourth, exercise. While it may seem very counterintuitive, many of my patients report that all they need to do is to overtake their AFib heart rate with an elevated exercise heart rate to get back in normal sinus rhythm. When their heart slows after the exercise, their normal sinus rhythm is restored.

5. Lie Down

Fifth, lie down. If an exercise-induced increased heart rate doesn’t work for you, the opposite might do the trick. Many of my patients report that taking a nap or going to bed early when they are in AFib is the trick to getting back in rhythm.

6. Stimulate Your Vagus Nerve

Sixth, stimulate your vagus nerve. Sometimes autonomic nervous system imbalances can trigger AFib.

7. Get a Quick Cardioversion

Finally, if all else fails, it’s time to visit an ER during off-hours or your cardiologist/EP’s office for a quick cardioversion to restore normal sinus rhythm. For example, our practice provides same-day cardioversions during normal business hours provided you are fasting.

What is the best treatment for AFIB?

The most common treatment for AFib in an emergency room setting is rate controlling medications. In an emergency room setting a patient will likely receive intravenous medications for rapid control of the heart rate. The most common intravenous medications used are metoprolol, diltiazem, digoxin, or amiodarone.

Which is better for AFIB: digoxin or amiodarone?

For patients with rapid AFib who also have a very low blood pressure, intravenous digoxin or amiodarone tends to be a better choice.

What is atrial flutter?

Atrial Flutter: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment. Atrial flutter is a common heart arrhythmia that can cause severe symptoms and increase risk for stroke. Learn more about atrial flutter symptoms and treatment options. Read more about the similarities between atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter here. Read More →.

What are the most important features about when to seek urgent medical attention in the emergency room?

Symptoms are the most important feature about when to seek urgent medical attention in the emergency room. This is more important then the tachycardia, or the level of high heart rate.

Does heart rate matter if you have atrial fibrillation?

If you're having episodes of atrial fibrillation and you're having severe symptoms such as feeling, dizzy, light-headed, passing out, or having chest pain, it doesn't matter where the number is of the heart rate. It doesn't matter if it's 120, 150, or even higher.

Can you feel short of breath with atrial fibrillation?

Then there are people, that when they get episodes of atrial fibrillation, quickly feel very short of breath, or they feel dizzy or light-headed, or may have symptoms of chest pain or have other severe symptoms when they develop their episodes of atrial fibrillation. If you're having episodes of atrial fibrillation and you're having severe symptoms ...