When to Go to the Hospital for Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms

Understanding Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a heart condition where the upper chambers of the heart beat irregularly and often rapidly. This can lead to symptoms like palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, and chest pain. While AFib itself is not life-threatening, it does increase the risk of stroke and heart failure. That's why knowing when to go to the hospital for atrial fibrillation is so important.

Causes and Contributing Factors

There are often multiple factors that contribute to the development of AFib, including:

• High blood pressure
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart valve problems
• Sleep apnea
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Excessive alcohol use
• Family history

In some cases, AFib arises on its own without an identifiable cause. But many of the contributing factors are related to lifestyle choices that can potentially be improved.

Tracking Symptoms of AFib

Because AFib symptoms can come and go, keeping a journal to track them is recommended. Note the time, length, and severity of any symptoms. This provides helpful information for your doctor in determining appropriate treatment.

When a Hospital Visit is Needed for AFib

In general, you should go to the emergency room or call 911 if you experience severe chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, or sudden weakness associated with your AFib. Rapid heart rates exceeding 150 bpm also warrant urgent evaluation. But there are a few other AFib symptoms that signal it's time to seek emergency care as well.

Stroke Warning Signs

One of the main risks of AFib is that blood clots may form in the heart, break loose, and travel to the brain causing a stroke. Seek emergency care immediately if you experience any signs of stroke such as:

• Numbness or weakness in the face, arms or legs
• Confusion
• Trouble speaking
• Vision problems
• Dizziness
• Loss of balance or coordination
• Severe headache

Even if symptoms last only a few minutes, don't delay. Call 911 or have someone drive you to the nearest emergency room. When it comes to stroke, lost time means lost brain function.

Racing Heartbeat

It’s common for your heart to beat rapidly during an AFib episode. But if it exceeds 150 beats per minute for more than a few minutes, seek emergency care. An excessively fast heart rate is referred to in medical terms as tachycardia.

Uncontrolled tachycardia can lead to:

• Lightheadedness
• Heart palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Fainting

Prompt emergency medical treatment is needed to slow down the heart rate and prevent complications.

Chest Pain

Chest discomfort or outright pain could mean AFib is causing inadequate blood flow to the heart muscle. Lack of oxygen can damage or even kill heart tissue. Seek emergency care if you experience:

• Pressure, tightness or pain in the chest
• Pain that radiates into the arm, neck or back
• Nausea
• Sweating
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling faint

While not every instance of chest pain means a heart attack, don't gamble on something so serious. Call 911 so emergency responders can stabilize you, provide treatment, and transport you to a hospital if needed.

Ongoing AFib Treatment Options

In an urgent situation, emergency medical providers focus on stabilizing your condition first. But for long-term atrial fibrillation management, there are a few options to consider.

Medications for Controlling Heart Rhythm

Drugs that help regulate heart rhythm include:

• Beta blockers like metoprolol or carvedilol
• Calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem or verapamil
• Sodium channel blockers like flecainide or propafenone

These medications can help reduce AFib episodes and make them less severe when they do occur. They also help control heart rate.

Anticoagulant Drugs

Since AFib raises stroke risk by allowing blood clots to form, blood thinning medications are often prescribed. This helps prevent clots from growing large enough to block blood and oxygen flow to the brain or other vital organs.

Common anticoagulant drugs include:

• Warfarin
• Dabigatran
• Rivaroxaban
• Edoxaban
• Apixaban

These must be taken exactly as directed to be safe and effective. Regular blood testing also helps ensure proper dosing.

Medical Procedures

In addition to medications, procedures that destroy tissue causing abnormal electrical signals may help suppress AFib. These include:

• Catheter ablation - using heat or extreme cold applied through a catheter inserted through a vein in the groin
• Maze procedure - open-heart surgery using incisions in the heart itself

After these procedures, around 65-70% of patients find their AFib eliminated or significantly reduced.

Living Well with AFib

While frustrating to deal with, atrial fibrillation doesn’t have to diminish your quality of life. Following some basic self-care tips can make coping with it easier in between episodes of rapid heart rate and other symptoms:

• Take medications according to instructions
• Follow your doctor’s guidance on physical activity, exercise, diet, alcohol use, etc.
• Learn what triggers your AFib and avoid those factors if possible
• Reduce stress through yoga, mindfulness, sufficient sleep, etc.
• Join a support community to exchange encouraging stories and information

And remember, with the awareness of when to seek emergency care for serious AFib complications, you gain peace of mind plus greater safety and control.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.