![]() Dangerous side effects and interactions Nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, breathing problems, and swelling are some of the side effects associated with anti-arrhythmic drugs.“And that’s acceptable to some patients.” “Research shows that with medication there’s a good 40 to 60 percent maintenance of normal rhythm at one year,” says Saliba. Moderate success rate Success rates average around 50 percent overall.Patients who are squeamish about surgical procedures and more comfortable taking a less aggressive approach to controlling their symptoms typically start with medication. Noninvasive It’s easier to take a pill than to undergo surgery.But if your atrial fibrillation results in repeated hospital visits and changes in your meds to better manage your symptoms, the cumulative costs may even out over time. Cost effective Medication is typically less expensive than procedures like ablation, in the short term.“If there’s underlying heart disease, you may be restricted in what medication you can take,” says Dr. Many options Your doctor will recommend certain drugs based on your age, your health, and the severity of your symptoms.Pros of Anti-Arrhythmic Drugs for Atrial Fibrillation How do the pros and cons compare for now? Here’s a look. These drugs work well for some people, but not all. Some people take the meds every day, while others take them just when they feel palpitations. Medications can stabilize the heart muscle tissue and help return the heart to its normal rhythm, notes the American Heart Association. A large trial called Cabana is underway, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, to provide even more answers regarding the use anti-arrhythmic medication versus ablation. Guidelines issued in March 2014 by the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and the Heart Rhythm Society recommend ablation as a first-line therapy for atrial fibrillation.Īnd research continues. Treatments are more effective and better understood than ever, say experts. Walid Saliba, MD, a cardiologist who treats atrial fibrillation at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, says, “The aim of any treatment for atrial fibrillation is to reduce the burden of the arrhythmia - the frequency, impact, and symptoms - and improve quality of life.” Neither anti-arrhythmic drugs nor catheter ablation decrease the risk of stroke - these treatments are designed to control symptoms caused by the abnormal heart rhythm. How do you choose between the two? Having a clear sense of the risks and benefits for both can help. But the procedure is invasive, expensive, and not right for everybody. Ablation has a greater chance of reducing and even eliminating your symptoms and making you feel better. During ablation, the abnormal heart tissue is destroyed by burning or freezing it. They may include palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, and weakness.īut trying to reduce these symptoms through drugs that control the abnormal heart beat, called anti-arrhythmic drugs, can come with serious side effects.Īnother treatment option is catheter ablation. Symptoms of atrial fibrillation, also called afib, can be debilitating. If you’re one of the 2.7 million Americans who live with atrial fibrillation - a tricky-to-treat condition that causes your heart to beat irregularly - you may be unsure how to treat it.
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