March Health News

Atrial Fibrillation – by Dr. Bud Bergstrom
A. fib. ” is the most common abnormal heart rhythm. It is very
important for two primary reasons : it significantly reduces the
effectiveness of heart function , & more importantly , it greatly
increases the possibility of having a stroke. Medications are
available for treating a fib. but they are expensive & their
effectiveness is variable. A procedure referred to as an ” ablation “,
is another possibility, but also has variable results. To prevent a
stroke, patients are also placed on a ” blood thinner “. Aspirin is
helpful , but much more effective drugs are available – they are ,
unfortunately , very expensive. Coumadin ( Warfarin ),which is very
inexpensive, is also very effective , but does require an occasional
very simple blood test. A routine EKG confirms the presence of a. fib.