There are several methods that may help stop an episode of paroxysmal or persistent A-fib once it starts. Slowly drinking a glass of cold water can help steady the heart rate.
This tip is especially useful for those whose A-fib episode has been brought on by dehydration. Some people report feeling better after exercising. A case study , published in the New England Journal of Medicine , found that a year-old athlete with paroxysmal A-fib stopped symptoms by engaging in a low impact aerobic activity. In this case study, the athlete used an elliptical machine or a cross-country skiing machine.
People wishing to try this method of dealing with an A-fib attack should speak to their doctor first. Yoga is known to relax those who practice it by focusing on the breathing.
This could be beneficial for those with A-fib — both to stop a current episode and as a preventative technique. In , a study published in the Journal of Arrhythmia reported that people with A-fib who undertook twice-weekly yoga sessions over a 3-month period enjoyed significant reductions in high blood pressure and heart rate.
Participants also reported a better quality of life. Biofeedback techniques can have a calming effect on people during an A-fib episode. While preliminary research on biofeedback suggests that it can be used to decrease episodes of fibrillation, more controlled research is necessary. These techniques may stop a paroxysmal A-fib episode. Vagal maneuvers involve doing things to trigger the vagus nerve, a nerve that impacts heart function. Examples of such maneuvers include coughing, or engaging the muscles as if having a bowel movement.
Exercise helps with weight management, regulates the heart rate, stops stress , and lowers blood pressure. Lifting weights can also be beneficial. Always warm up before exercise and stay hydrated throughout. Learn more about A-fib and advanced treatment options. Register now. Having A-fib for a long time or having very fast heart rates for a long time can make the heart weaker. Sometimes a weakened heart is the cause of your A-fib. Once the risks of stroke and heart failure have been addressed, treatments for A-fib can include medication, catheter ablation, cardioversion or surgery.
For example:. In addition to AFib, several other health conditions can also raise your risk of stroke and heart failure. These include:. Heart attack and heart failure share many of the same risk factors and underlying health conditions. Learn about the many differences between heart…. Cardiomyopathy is a disease in which your heart muscle weakens and has difficulty pumping blood. Read about its causes, risk factors, treatment, and…. Atrial fibrillation AFib is the most common type of arrhythmia in the United States.
Learn more about this condition, including causes and symptoms…. According to a new study, people who work night shifts have a 12 percent higher risk of atrial fibrillation AFib , an irregular heart rate, compared…. New research from the U. Those who practice…. Avoiding or limiting certain foods can reduce the risk of an AFib episode.
The risk for AFib increases with age. High blood pressure, the risk for which also increases with advancing age, accounts for about 1 in 5 cases of AFib. When standard stroke risk factors were accounted for, AFib was associated with an approximately fivefold increased risk of ischemic stroke. Strokes caused by complications from AFib tend to be more severe than strokes with other underlying causes. Strokes happen when blood flow to the brain is blocked by a blood clot or by fatty deposits called plaque in the blood vessel lining.
More than , hospitalizations with AFib as the primary diagnosis happen each year in the United States. Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link.
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