About this topic
Your heart has an electrical system that controls each heartbeat. The signal starts at the top of the heart and moves to the bottom. This signal tells your heart to squeeze and pump blood. The signal repeats with each heartbeat. The heart has 2 upper chambers called atria and 2 lower chambers called ventricles. These chambers beat in a coordinated way. This allows the heart to pump blood effectively to the rest of the body. ‚
Atrial flutter is a problem where the upper chambers of your heart beat too fast. They beat in a regular pattern, but much faster than the lower chambers of the heart. This makes you more at risk for a stroke and other problems. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Avoid stress.
- Do not smoke.
- If you have high blood pressure, take your drugs so that your blood pressure is normal.
- Learn how to check your pulse.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
- Take your drugs as ordered by your doctor. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the drugs that you are taking, including over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, vitamins, and herbal drugs. Keep a current list of all of these.
- Ask your doctor first before taking any other drugs. This will ensure that you do not take any drugs which may make your heart to beat faster and cause damage to your heart.
- The doctor may order drugs to:
- Control how fast the heart is beating
- Treat the abnormal heart rhythm
- Thin the blood
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
Eat a heart healthy diet. Ask your doctor or dietitian about a proper food plan for you. Limit caffeine and beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol). ‚
What problems could happen?
- Heart failure
- Stroke
- Fainting
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Follow your doctors orders for controlling heart problems, high blood pressure, and other health problems.
- Keep a healthy weight and exercise regularly. Ask your doctor about the right activities for you.
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of heart attack:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling dizzy
- Signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
Call your doctor if you have: ‚
- Gas pains or indigestion
- Bleeding
- Fatigue
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
- You may need to have your blood tested often if you are taking blood thinners.
- Let your doctor know if you are having problems with bruising or bleeding.
- Take all of your drugs as ordered by your doctor, even if you are feeling fine.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my drugs or activities.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of a stroke.
Where can I learn more?
American Heart Association ‚
http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/112/22/e334.full ‚
Heart Rhythm Society ‚
http://www.hrsonline.org/Patient-Resources/Heart-Diseases-Disorders/Atrial-Flutter#axzz2pGiI32ZZ ‚
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/arr/types.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚