Chronic Care Heart Disease Management

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) treatment and medication available today

Our primary care doctors are here to help with treatment and medications to tackle AFib. Manage your irregular heart rhythm with our expert primary care medical team. Get a prescription refill of your chronic atrial fibrillation medication. Reduce stroke risk. Take charge of your heart health: book an appointment today.

Standard of care treatments for atrial fibrillation by board-certified primary care doctors* Reduce the risk of AFib-related strokes Insurance accepted but not required

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*Prescriptions are provided at the doctor's discretion. Learn more about our controlled substances policy and how to save up to 80% with our prescription discount card. PlushCare doctors cannot treat all cases of AFib, especially patients with actively symptomatic atrial fibrillation. Our primary care physicians can conduct an initial evaluation of your symptoms but may need to refer you to a specialist or for in-person treatment. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

What is atrial fibrillation (AFib)?

Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of heart arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) that can disrupt normal blood flow. AFib is caused by an extremely fast and irregular heartbeat, usually exceeding 100 beats per minute. Because of the rapid and irregular heartbeat, blood may stagnate within the atrium of the heart which may lead to a blood clot that travels to the brain and is otherwise known as a cardioembolic stroke.

For people with AFib, abnormal electrical signals make the atria contract irregularly and much faster than normal in the heart's upper chambers.

You can reduce the risk of an abnormal heart rhythm by:

Treating any underlying health conditions (i.e., treating high blood pressure by taking blood pressure medications)
Quitting smoking
Avoiding alcohol or only drinking occasionally.
Taking atrial fibrillation medications, such as beta-blockers, as prescribed

AFib medication

Your doctor may prescribe medications to help you maintain a regular heart rhythm, prevent blood clots, and strengthen heart contractions. Common AFib medications include:

-Beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, or sodium-channel blockers decrease your heart rate, relax blood vessels, and control the heart's rhythm:

Betapace Bystolic (nebivolol) Coreg (carvedilol) Corgard (nadolol) Propranolol Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) Tenormin Toprol XL (metoprolol succinate) Trandate (labetalol) Zebeta

-In very specific patients who have an increased risk for strokes with atrial fibrillation, their doctor may recommend starting a blood thinner to reduce the risk of having a stroke. This decision is usually individualized per patient and doctors usually weigh the balance between reducing stroke risk and the increased risk for bleeding. Blood thinners including anticoagulants, such as apixaban, dabigatran, and warfarin, to reduce the risk of cardioembolic strokes

Pradaxa (dabigatran)

Xarelto (rivaroxaban)

Eliquis (apixaban)

Savaysa (edoxaban)

-Antiarrhythmics to control heart rhythm

-Digitalis glycosides to strengthen your heart contractions

Please note that while our doctors can refill most atrial fibrillation medications for patients with stable atrial fibrillation, the initiation of these medications typically requires an in-person visit for a cardiac exam and EKG. Other medications, specifically rhythm control medications such as sodium or potassium channel blockers are typically only prescribed by cardiologists, which PlushCare does not have at this time. PlushCare does not treat actively symptomatic atrial fibrillation episodes such as patients with active chest pains, palpitations, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, etc. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

How to treat (AFib)

There are several options for atrial fibrillation medications and treatments that can help manage your condition. The initiation of atrial fibrillation treatment is typically done in an in person medical care setting. However, if your atrial fibrillation is stable, our doctors are able to refill your chronic prescriptions, if appropriate.

It is important to discuss with your doctor whether you may need treatment for atrial fibrillation even if you don't experience symptoms consistently or if you don't have other heart problems

Some heart-healthy lifestyle changes to maintain a normal heart rhythm include:

Getting regular physical activity
Eating a heart-healthy diet
Managing high blood pressure
Maintaining a healthy weight
Limiting alcohol intake

What to know about Atrial fibrillation

What causes AFib?

Atrial fibrillation happens when the regular beating in the heart's upper chambers (the atria) becomes irregular, and blood stops flowing regularly from the atria to the heart's lower chambers (the ventricles). AFib may be asymptomatic, may happen in very brief episodes,or may cause symptoms. If you are currently experiencing symptoms of atrial fibrillation, please seek out in person medical care immediately.

What is a dangerous heart rate with AFib?

With atrial fibrillation, the heart rate is usually between 110-140 beats per minute. Sometimes, your heartbeat may beat extremely fast, reaching 200 beats per minute.

How is AFib diagnosed?

AFib is typically diagnosed through an in person physical exam and electrocardiogram (EKG), which is a test that records your heart's electrical signals. Your doctor may recommend additional tests to evaluate the cause of the atrial fibrillation or assess the frequency of it:

A Holter monitor or event monitor to record your heartbeat.
An echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to produce a moving image of your heart
A transesophageal echocardiogram, an invasive version of an standard transthoracic echocardiogram but can offer a more detailed view of the heart
A stress test, which evaluates your heart's response to physical exertion usually via exercise or, for those that have limited mobility, medications
A chest X-ray to examine your heart and lungs
Blood tests to diagnose underlying thyroid,metabolic, or other conditions

What causes AFib to come and go?

Atrial fibrillation is associated with multiple triggers, including:

Alcohol and caffeine consumption
Stress
Sleep issues

What does AFib look like on an ECG?

Atrial fibrillation shows an "irregularly irregular"heart rhythm on an ECG.

Step 1

Book an Atrial fibrillation consultation for medication refill appointment.

Book a same day appointment from anywhere.

Step 2

Talk to your clinician regarding your Atrial fibrillation issues.

Visit with a doctor on your smartphone or computer.

Step 3

Pick up your medication for Atrial fibrillation.

We can send prescriptions to any local pharmacy.

Related conditions to AFib

Other conditions may mimic the symptoms of atrial fibrillation. Consider discussing these related conditions while meeting with one of our doctors.

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Thyroid disorders Sleep Apnea Diabetes

Chronic lung diseases

Viral infections

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Sources:

PlushCare is dedicated to providing you with accurate and trustworthy health information.

American Heart Association. Treatment and Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation. Accessed on July 25, 2023. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/atrial-fibrillation/treatment-and-prevention-of-atrial-fibrillation

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Atrial fibrillation. Accessed on June 18, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/atrial-fibrillation.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/atrial_fibrillation.htm

Johns Hopkins Medicine. What is Afib? Accessed on July 25, 2023. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/atrial-fibrillation

PlushCare content is reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, nutritionists, and other healthcare professionals. Learn more about our editorial standards and meet the medical team. The PlushCare site or any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.

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