Atrial Fibrillation

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Atrial fibrillation (AF) affects nearly 9 million Americans.¹ AF is associated with a 5-fold increase in the risk of stroke and significant morbidity and mortality.² Using the foundations of AF management can help reduce the risks associated with AF.³

Foundations of AF management

Prevent stroke

Anticoagulants can reduce the risk of stroke. These include warfarin (Coumadin), apixaban (Eliquis), dabigatran (Pradaxa, generics), edoxaban (Savaysa), and rivaroxaban (Xarelto).

Control rate and rhythm

Rate control uses medications to normalize the heart rate, though patients may remain in AF.

Rhythm control uses medications or procedures to achieve a normal heart rhythm.

These two strategies can be used together or independently.

Optimize risk factors

Additional Resources for Patients

American Heart Association
UpBeat.org – by the Heart Rhythm Society
FamilyDoctor.org – by the American Academy of Family Physicians
NIH National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

Information current at time of publication, November 2024.

The content of this website is educational in nature and includes general recommendations only; specific clinical decisions should only be made by a treating clinician based on the individual patient’s clinical condition.

References

Williams BA, et al. Temporal Trends in the Incidence, Prevalence, and Survival of Patients With Atrial Fibrillation From 2004 to 2016. Am J Cardiol. 2017;120(11):1961-1965.
Martin SS, et al. 2024 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics: A Report of US and Global Data From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2024;149(8):e347-e913.
Joglar JA, et al. 2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Atrial Fibrillation: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2024;149(1):e1-e156.