Elder Care in Charleston SC

Atrial fibrillation is a type of heart condition that can be scary when it’s out of control. It involves your loved one’s heart rhythms, which can make him feel like he’s having a heart attack. Here’s what you need to know about atrial fibrillation so you can help your elderly loved one.

What Is Atrial Fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation, more commonly known as A-fib, is a pattern of irregular heartbeats. A-fib can increase the likelihood that your loved one faces heart failure, a stroke, or other heart issues. Atrial fibrillation can also lead to blood clots forming in the heart. Some people with A-fib experience symptoms consistently, while others find that their episodes of A-fib come and go.

Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation

Your loved one might have had A-fib for a long time without realizing it because the symptoms can be extremely subtle. To other people, the symptoms are very noticeable. If your loved one has A-fib, some of the symptoms might include:

• Fatigue
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Weakness or confusion
• Heart palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain

If you or your loved one suspect that he’s dealing with atrial fibrillation, it’s a good idea to talk to his doctor right away. There are four main categories of atrial fibrillation. Your loved one might be diagnosed with occasional A-fib, persistent A-fib, long-standing persistent A-fib, or permanent A-fib.

Causes of Atrial Fibrillation

There are a ton of different causes that can bring about atrial fibrillation. Your loved one might have been born with a propensity for A-fib or he might have high blood pressure, a history of heart attacks, or other health conditions. Your loved one is more at risk for A-fib if he has heart issues or high blood pressure, but age and a family history of A-fib are also major risk factors.

Treating Atrial Fibrillation

Treating A-fib involves two major components. Your loved one’s doctor wants to help your loved one’s heart maintain a correct rhythm and he also wants to help prevent blood clots from forming. The most common treatment for A-fib involves medication, but your loved one’s doctor may also recommend surgical procedures. The treatment used depends on the severity and type of your loved one’s A-fib.

Talk to your loved one’s doctors and elder care providers for ideas about how to help your loved one cope with an A-fib diagnosis.

Excerpt: If your loved one’s doctor has diagnosed him with atrial fibrillation, it’s important to know what to expect.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring elder care services near Charleston, SC, contact Heart of the Carolinas Home Care at 864-991-3116.

Providing Home Care Services in Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer, Anderson, Spartanburg, Mauldin, Seneca, Laurens, Charleston, Columbia and the surrounding areas.

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Edward Harrison

Founder at Heart of the Carolinas

Edward Harrison founded the Heart of the Carolinas Homecare in 2007 when he saw there was a need for caregivers that provide non-medical home care services, at a price that most people could afford. It was standard in the industry to require hourly minimums and it was common to be assigned a caregiver, not matched with one based on your individual personal needs. Edward understood that to make a successful relationship between caregiver and client, skills were not enough, personality and compatibility plays as much a role as do skills.

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