Atrial Fibrillation Treatment in Sharjah

What is atrial fibrillation treatment?

Atrial fibrillation, often shortened to AF, is a heart rhythm in which the upper chambers of the heart quiver irregularly instead of beating in a steady pattern. Atrial fibrillation treatment is the plan that manages it, and it rests on two separate decisions. The first is protecting you from stroke, because blood moving sluggishly through a quivering chamber can form clots. The second is controlling the heart itself, either by slowing the rate or by restoring a regular rhythm.

At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, atrial fibrillation is managed by the cardiology team, who build a plan around your symptoms, your stroke risk and your other health conditions. Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained heart rhythm problem in adults, and it becomes more common with age.

Who needs it

Atrial fibrillation treatment is for anyone with a confirmed diagnosis of AF, whether it comes and goes or is present all the time. Many people notice palpitations, a racing or fluttering heartbeat, breathlessness, tiredness or dizziness. Many others feel entirely well, and their AF is found at a routine pulse check, on an ECG done for another reason, or through an irregular rhythm alert from a smartwatch.

Atrial fibrillation found without symptoms still needs a full assessment, because the stroke risk applies with or without symptoms you can feel. A smartwatch alert is a useful prompt, and a proper ECG confirms the diagnosis before treatment starts.

Several conditions make AF more likely or harder to control, and treating them is part of the plan: high blood pressure, an overactive thyroid, sleep apnoea, excess weight, diabetes and heart valve disease. Alcohol is a common trigger, and heavy caffeine intake sets off episodes in some people.

What happens

Your cardiologist takes a history of your symptoms, how often they occur and what seems to bring them on, reviews your medicines, and examines you. An ECG records the rhythm, and if episodes come and go, a Holter monitor worn for a day or longer can capture them. An echocardiogram shows the heart's structure, valves and pumping strength. Blood tests check thyroid function, kidney function and blood count.

Stroke prevention comes first. Your cardiologist works out your stroke risk from factors such as age, high blood pressure, diabetes, previous stroke and heart failure, and weighs it against your bleeding risk. Many people with atrial fibrillation are advised to take a blood-thinning medicine, known as an anticoagulant, which substantially lowers the chance of a clot causing a stroke.

The second decision is rate control or rhythm control. Rate control uses medicines that slow the heart so the rhythm stays irregular but the pumping becomes efficient and comfortable. Rhythm control aims to restore and keep a regular rhythm, using medicines or a cardioversion, a controlled electrical shock given under brief sedation. For some people, particularly those with frequent symptoms despite medicines, catheter ablation is considered; where it is recommended, your cardiologist arranges referral to a specialist electrophysiology centre. The choice depends on your symptoms, your age and how long you have had AF.

Preparing for it

Bring a list of every medicine and supplement you take, and any previous ECGs, echo reports or blood results. If your smartwatch or phone recorded an irregular rhythm, bring or export those recordings, together with the dates and times, and write down what you were doing when symptoms started.

Keep a short diary for a week or two before your appointment covering palpitations, alcohol, caffeine and sleep. If you snore loudly or wake unrefreshed, mention it, because treating sleep apnoea helps control AF. Wear a top that opens easily at the front for the ECG.

Afterwards

Atrial fibrillation is usually managed over the long term with regular reviews. At follow-up appointments your cardiologist checks your heart rate and rhythm, how well you tolerate your medicines, and your kidney function and blood count if you take an anticoagulant. Taking the blood thinner every day, exactly as prescribed, is what keeps the protection against stroke steady. Cutting down on alcohol, managing your weight and blood pressure, and staying active all help keep AF under control.

Contact the hospital if palpitations become more frequent or longer, if you feel more breathless or tired than usual, or if you notice black stools, blood in your urine or heavy bruising while taking a blood thinner. Call emergency services immediately if you notice face drooping, arm weakness or speech difficulty, which are signs of a stroke, and go to the emergency department straight away for chest pain, fainting or severe breathlessness. The stroke assessment page explains what happens on arrival.

Cost and insurance

Most UAE health insurance plans cover cardiology consultation, ECG, Holter monitoring and echocardiography for atrial fibrillation. Some newer anticoagulant medicines need insurer approval, and policies differ in which ones they cover, so your cardiologist can help choose an option your plan supports. Cardioversion usually needs pre-approval, and referral for ablation is assessed separately by the specialist centre and your insurer. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.