Atrial fibrillation, more commonly referred to as “A-fib” is a heart rhythm disorder. It can be quite serious, especially if it isn’t taken seriously from the beginning. And, as someone ages, the impact that A-fib can have on the quality of life that someone experiences can be negative and profound, especially if there are other health issues in place. Luckily, living with A-fib can be a lot smoother, given that you work with a team of professionals and follow their advice regularly.
The issue doesn’t tend to be A-fib itself, but rather clotting that can occur in and around the heart. When this happens, instances of a heart attack or stroke increase dramatically and can result in death or permanent disability. Obviously, this is something that you want to avoid as much as possible.
The first step is to work with a doctor. Typically, medications are the first line of defense when it comes to treating this condition. But sometimes medications aren’t quite enough. That’s why having a doctor that you work with, know, and trust is so important. They will be able to steer you in the right direction if this isn’t working. Minimally invasive procedures, such as cardioversion, ablation, or a watchman might be needed. However, this is a decision for a trained cardiologist to make.
If you have questions, don’t be afraid to reach out to your doctor. They’ll help you to make an informed decision, weighing other risk factors to help guide you toward what’s best.
Additionally, it’s important to remember that A-fib is progressive. The longer someone has it, the more likely there are to be health issues that result from it. This means that the older someone is, the more likely that A-fib is going to cause issues for them. Early treatment is the best way to help avoid this. Please, speak with a doctor as soon as possible if you have questions or would like to learn more about how to treat and live with A-fib.
As someone ages, health issues that once didn’t seem like a big deal can lead to bigger issues. This is especially the case if there are comorbidities in the picture. This is why having a care team in place can be so helpful. This includes things like a medical professional team, caregivers, an attorney, and more, depending on the unique needs of your older loved one. Each situation is different and the makeup of an ideal care team will be different as a result of this.
We’d love to help you out if you’re looking for a care team. Regardless of where you are in your care journey, having a team of professionals on your side can help to better ensure that your loved ones are receiving the help that they need.
Give us a call if we can help. One of our trained caregivers would be happy to sit down during a free consultation session and answer your questions to help you get pointed in the right direction. We’re here to help.
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