﻿ Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - What is the treatment for atrial fibrillation (AFib)? - MedicineNet

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

What is the treatment for atrial fibrillation (AFib)?

The treatment of atrial fibrillation is multi-faceted and involves:

  1. reversing the factors that cause atrial fibrillation;
  2. slowing the heart rate with medications;
  3. preventing strokes;
  5. preventing the recurrence of atrial fibrillation with medications; and
  6. using procedures (for example, pacemakers, defibrillators, surgery) to prevent episodes of AFib.

Reversing the risk factors (drugs or other diseases or conditions) that cause AFib

An important first step in the treatment of AFib is to uncover and correct conditions (such as hyperthyroidism or use of stimulant drugs) that can cause AFib. These steps include:

  • stopping the use of stimulant drugs and excessive alcohol intake;
  • controlling high blood pressure;
  • controlling heart failure and treating the diseases of the heart and the lungs that can cause atrial fibrillation. Continue Reading
Reviewed on 5/27/2015

