afib signs symptoms assessment for
Patient's response to the medication, system assessment—cardiac, respiratory, neurological—vital signs, and lab values should constantly be monitored. If the patient is taking anticoagulants, then lab values (activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) for heparin, prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ration (INR) for warfarin) should be monitored as well as signs of bleeding and vital signs. 4,9 ATRIAL FIBRILLATION is one of the most common arrhythmias in the United States.1,2 This arrhythmia, a supraventricular rhythm, affects up to 2.8 million people and costs over $1 billion in estimated healthcare costs annually.2 To discuss how an atrial fibrillation arrhythmia alters cardiac blood flow, we first must understand how normal ... Since the Maze procedure involves open-heart surgery, many nursing interventions are required. Upon arrival, the patient's vital signs, level of consciousness, and pain status all must be carefully monitored. EKG assessment for changes in rhythm is imperative, as is assessing heart sounds and the apical pulse. ATRIAL FIBRILLATION By employing the foundation of cardiac conduction, it's time to tackle atrial fibrillation. In many cases of this specific arrhythmia, multiple areas of the atria fire simultaneously and quickly—some 300 to 600 sporadic atrial impulses per minute. RISK FACTORS/CAUSES As people age, the risk for developing atrial fibrillation increases—from less than 1% in individuals under 60 years old to more than 6% in individuals over 80 years old. Men tend to have a higher risk of developing atrial fibrillation than women, and at an earlier age. Rapid-fire impulses hijack the heart in atrial fibrillation. NURSING INTERVENTIONS Nursing interventions depend upon the type of treatment modality. Pharmacological therapy, such as beta blockers, antiarrhythmics, or calcium-channel blockers, need frequent monitoring of EKG rhythm strips, heart sounds, and apical pulse rate. These symptoms can last anywhere from several minutes to several hours. For those with chronic AFib, these symptoms can be persistent. Symptoms may develop occasionally and can sometimes resolve without medical treatment (paroxysmal AFib). In this case your doctor or cardiologist will prescribe a medication to control your symptoms. Controlling AFib symptoms. The main goal of controlling AFib symptoms is to prevent recurrent episodes. Other risk factors for atrial fibrillation include diabetes, coronary heart disease, mitral valve disease, atrial septal defect, alcohol excess, and hyperthyroidism. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS Patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation may present with signs and symptoms rang-ing from being completely asympto-matic to dangerously hemodynamically unstable. Signs and symptoms associated with atrial fibrillation include palpitations, anxiety, fatigue, malaise, exercise intolerance, and nausea. Dyspnea, dizziness, syncope, hypotension, chest pain, diaphoresis, and, in some cases, confusion and altered mental status are common. Symptoms of AFib An irregular heart rate can cause the heart to race or flutter. Because the heart isn’t pumping normally, people with AFib may experience the following symptoms: Symptoms of AFib. An irregular heart rate can cause the heart to race or flutter. Because the heart isn’t pumping normally, people with AFib may experience the following symptoms:
Signs and symptoms associated with atrial fibrillation include palpitations, anxiety, fatigue, malaise, exercise intolerance, nausea, dyspnea, dizziness, syncope, hypotension, chest pain, diaphoresis and in some cases, confusion and altered mental status are common.