Categories

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Treatment Options

Medication for Heart Rhythm

Another aspect of atrial fibrillation to treat is you heart rhythm. Asides from the heart rate drugs, your doctor may also prescribe anti-arrhythmic medications to help prevent future episodes of AFib. These drugs work because they slow the electrical signals to make your heartbeat in a normal sinus rhythm. Some of these medications include:

  • Flecainide [9]
  • Quinidine
  • Sotalol [10]
  • Propafenone

Some of these drugs are categorized as sodium channel blockers. [11] The drugs may have side effects such as dizziness, nausea, or fatigue.

Nonsurgical Procedures

If medicines fail to work or they are causing side effects, two non-surgical procedures can be done to treat AFib. These procedures are called ablation and cardioversion. Even though they are termed nonsurgical, they must still be done by a doctor.