September is National Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Awareness Month. To reduce the risk of AFib, a quivering or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications, maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle is always the best option.
For those diagnosed with AFib, take medications as prescribed and get proper treatment and management of your condition to reduce the risk of the harmful consequences of AFib. And know your home health care provider is there to assist you in the continuum of care.
Palmeira Best Practices in the AFib Transition of Care include:
- Ongoing communication with primary care physician
- Development of a treatment plan with the primary care physician
- Tracking the patient’s progress including blood pressure, heart rate, weight, etc.
- Monitor specific instructions regarding after care including medication guidelines, wound care, physical activity guidelines, post-procedure symptoms, and follow up schedule for effective symptom management
- Manage any additional tests needed to be completed during follow up
- Fully reconcile medication list with clear instructions including potential side effects
- Explain symptoms to watch (red flags) and what to do if they occur with contact information provided
- Develop plan for ongoing care and educate family members
Here’s what you can do to reduce your risk of complications associated with atrial fibrillation:
- Get regular physical activity
- Eat a heart-healthy diet, low in salt, saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol
- Manage high blood pressure
- Avoid excessive amounts of alcohol and caffeine
- Don’t smoke
- Control cholesterol
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Keep an Activity Log to Share with your Home Health Team
Download a printable activity log (PDF)
All of these goals aide in the prevention of or reducing the risk for heart disease, and will help keep your circulatory system in the best condition.
Other underlying conditions may need treatment because they can contribute to the onset of AFib:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Sleep apnea
- Thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism)
- Diabetes
- Chronic lung disease
- Other heart conditions (heart attack, heart valve disease, or heart failure)
- Family history
- Obesity
