Medicines for heart failure). Most people need to take more than one medicine every day. These medicines can improve your symptoms and help you feel better. Some medicines might help you live longer. � �
Treatment for A-fib can include one or more of the following: � �
- Medicines " � Doctors can use different types of medicines to treat A-fib.
- A treatment called "cardioversion, " � which involves applying a mild electrical current to the heart to fix its rhythm
- A treatment called "ablation, " � which uses heat or cold to destroy the small part of the heart that is sending abnormal electrical signals
- A device called a "pacemaker, " � which is put in your body and sends electrical signals to the heart to control the heartbeat
- Surgery to create scar tissue in the heart to block the flow of electrical signals
When should I call the doctor or nurse? " � Call your doctor or nurse if you have new or worse symptoms of heart failure or A-fib. � �
Symptoms of heart failure can include: � �
- Feeling tired or weak
- Trouble breathing
- Swelling in the feet, ankles, legs, or belly
- Sudden weight gain
This action plan (figure 1 and figure 2) lists the symptoms you should watch for every day. � �
Symptoms of A-fib can include: � �
- Feeling like your heart is racing, skipping beats, or beating out of sync
- Feeling dizzy or like you are going to pass out
- Mild chest tightness or pain
You should also learn the signs and symptoms of a stroke (figure 3). If you have any of these signs or symptoms, call for an ambulance (in the US and Canada, dial 9-1-1) or get to the hospital quickly. � �
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. � �
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. � �
Topic 16443 Version 5.0 � �
Release: 22.8 - C22.206 � �
� � 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. � �
figure 1
Heart failure action plan - page 1
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Heart failure action plan - page 1
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figure 2
Heart failure action plan - page 2
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Heart failure action plan - page 2
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figure 3
Signs of stroke
The letters in the word "fast" help you remember the signs of stroke. If a person shows any of these signs, call an ambulance right away. In the US and Canada, dial 9-1-1.
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Signs of stroke
The letters in the word "fast" help you remember the signs of stroke. If a person shows any of these signs, call an ambulance right away. In the US and Canada, dial 9-1-1.
Graphic 73487 Version 3.0
View Original
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� � 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. � �