How Do I Find the Right Treatment for My Atrial Fibrillation?

The goal of treatment is to stop or decrease your atrial fibrillation and your atrial fibrillation symptoms.

Talk to your atrial fibrillation treatment provider if you have been treated but you:

• Still have atrial fibrillation symptoms
• Have problems with the side effects of any heart medication you may take

For all of your questions or concerns, it’s important to talk to a doctor who specializes in atrial fibrillation. Such doctors include cardiologists or electrophysiologists. The cardiologist is a heart doctor. The electrophysiologist focuses on the heart’s electrical system. Atrial fibrillation results from erratic electrical signals in the heart. Find a specialist near you.

Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about ways to reduce your atrial fibrillation symptoms. Also, ask if there are other treatments that can help your symptoms.

Everyone’s situation is different. But if you continue to have symptoms, or intolerable medication side effects, be proactive. Here are some topics you may want to talk over with your doctor:

• What can be done to reduce the side effects of my heart medication for atrial fibrillation?
• What stage of atrial fibrillation do I have now?
• What treatments are available for someone with my stage of atrial fibrillation?
• How can we prevent my atrial fibrillation from getting worse?
• Are there any other treatments that may be right for me?

Download the Discussion Guide: Get tips on how to talk to your health care provider about your atrial fibrillation.

What Happens to My Health When My Atrial Fibrillation Is Under Control?

Here are some of the things you might look forward to if your atrial fibrillation is halted or improved:¹

• The left atrium returns to a more normal size and becomes less stretched out
• The left atrium can pump better, sending blood to the left ventricle
• The left ventricle can pump better, sending oxygen-rich blood to the body
• Heart function may improve overall

With proper treatment for your atrial fibrillation you may not only feel better, but some of the negative effects that atrial fibrillation has on your heart can be reversed.