Atrial fibrillation is a heart rhythm disorder that can cause quite a few complications if left untreated. One of the risks of this conduction disorder of electrical impulses in the heart muscle is the formation of blood clots in the heart. Treatment includes prescribing a blood thinner. In low-risk patients this is often acetylsalicylic acid cardio, also called cardioaspirin (aspirin). It is extremely important that this medication is taken faithfully every day.

Contents

• How does atrial fibrillation develop?
• Causes
• Symptoms
• Is atrial fibrillation dangerous?
• Therapy

• Long-term

• When is acetylsalicylic acid cardio prescribed?

• Not with these conditions

• Interaction with other medications
• Side effects of acetylsalicylic acid cardio
• Pregnancy

How does atrial fibrillation develop?

The anatomy of the heart consists of two antechambers (atria) and two chambers (ventricles). Thanks to their close cooperation, blood is pumped through the atria to the ventricles and then throughout the body. If this cooperation does not go well, problems in blood circulation arise. This is often due to a rhythm disorder , such as atrial fibrillation. Located in the wall of the right atrium is the sinus node, which sends electrical impulses through the atria and causes the atrial muscle to contract. These impulses arrive at the AV node, which transmits the stimuli via the bundle of His to the heart chambers, after which the ventricles contract.Atrial fibrillation / Source: Blausen.com staff, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-4.0)Clot formation In atrial fibrillation, numerous stimuli occur in the atria, causing the atria to contract chaotically, as much as 200 to 300 times per minute. Fortunately, the AV node only allows some of these stimuli to pass through. This feels like a very fast, irregular and uneven pulse, sometimes up to 160 beats per minute. Because the blood in the atria does not flow properly, clots can form. The cardiologist will then prescribe a blood thinner. This is often edoxaban (Lixiana) or acetylsalicylic acid cardio (aspirin) in low-risk patients.

Causes

The causes of atrial or atrial fibrillation can be numerous. And sometimes none can be found, which is also called lone atrial fibrillation . High blood pressure is often the culprit. One of the heart valves may also not work properly. Valve leakage in particular is notorious. A thyroid disorder must also be excluded when diagnosing atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Dilation (widening, enlargement) of the anterior chambers, usually the left atrium, can also be a cause.Enlargement of the atrium The atrial enlargement repeatedly causes a fibrillation, which in turn enlarges the atrium. Whichever came first, the fibrillation or the atrial enlargement. is what is called a chicken-or-egg question. Diabetes can also be a cause. Just like old age. More than twenty percent of eighty-year-olds suffer from some form of atrial fibrillation, or a problem in the electrical conduction system of the heart. It also occurs in a transient form in chain smokers and after excessive coffee and alcohol use (manager’s disease).Atrial fibrillation / Source: J. Heuser, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA-3.0)

Symptoms

The complaints differ per person. Some people do not even notice that the heart is fibrillating. Atrial fibrillation is usually accompanied by:

• Dizziness.
• Fatigue.
• Light-headed feeling.
• Faintness.
• Fatigue on exertion.
• Sometimes shortness of breath, with severely reduced pumping function of the heart.
• Perspire.
• Edema (ankles).
• Rapid, irregular pulse of up to 150 beats per minute.

Is atrial fibrillation dangerous?

To reassure you: with atrial fibrillation the heart does not stop beating, but the heart rhythm is chaotic and inefficient. The condition itself is therefore not life-threatening. The complications of atrial fibrillation, on the other hand, are dangerous. During fibrillation, the pump function is reduced. The atria contract so quickly that some of the blood in the atria is no longer or hardly drained to the ventricles. This especially applies to the blood in the so-called atrial appendage, the extension of the atria. This can cause clots to form on the atrial wall, which eventually detach and become stuck somewhere in the body in the smaller blood vessels, mainly in the heart (myocardial infarction), the lungs (pulmonary embolism) and the brain (stroke), but also in the kidneys. and intestines. These clots are mainly released when the heart rhythm and therefore blood circulation normalizes again.Preventive blood thinners Taking preventive blood thinners is therefore very important and even of vital importance. There are even more complications that can ultimately affect younger people under the age of 65, including abnormalities of an anatomical nature, such as the enlarged atria mentioned above . However, the risk of clots forming remains high.

Therapy

Atrial or atrial fibrillation is clearly recognizable on the ECG (electrocardiogram). Initially, an attempt is made to use medication to ensure that the heart remains in rhythm, so to speak, possibly with certain beta blockers, such as sotalol and metoprolol, with or without other medications, including antiarrhythmics such as flecainide acetate.

Long-term

Long-term treatment, if the condition does not stabilize, may consist of ablation treatment, or radiofrequency catheter ablation, which uses heat or freezing to neutralize certain pieces of tissue in the heart. However, this is preceded by an electrophysiological examination to determine how the electrical conduction processes in the heart proceed. The treatment of atrial fibrillation can therefore be very diverse. The administration of blood thinners runs like a common thread through this. Sometimes anticoagulants such as marcoumar, sintrom or edoxaban (Lixiana) are chosen. Acetylsalicylic acid cardio is often prescribed for low-risk patients.Normal heart rate / Source: Blausen Medical Communications, Inc., Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-3.0)

When is acetylsalicylic acid cardio prescribed?

Acetylsalicylic acid is part of the so-called platelet aggregation inhibitors and is a medication prescribed for cardiovascular disease. Simply put, acetylsalicylic acid prevents the blood from clotting, or at least it inhibits that process. Acetylsalicylic acid cardio is therefore a blood thinner. In the past, aspirin was the painkiller of choice. Nowadays, acetylsalicylic acid is mainly given to prevent a stroke or heart attack, such as acetylsalicylic acid cardio 80 mg. The cardiologist prescribes this medication for:

• Atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter and angina pectoris.
• Preventing a second heart attack.
• Circulation problems in the brain.
• After heart surgery.

Not with these conditions

• If you are hypersensitive to acetylsalicylic acid.
• In case of kidney abnormalities.
• If you have had a brain haemorrhage.
• For stomach disorders, such as a stomach ulcer.
• In case of hemophilia or if there is another increased bleeding tendency.
• Shortly before or after an operation or if a tooth or molar needs to be extracted.
• Watch out with alcohol. It strengthens the effect of acetylsalicylic acid. Read the package leaflet.

Interaction with other medications

In combination with other medications, acetylsalicylic acid can pose cardio risks, such as when simultaneously taking anti-inflammatory drugs:

• Diabetes and epilepsy.
• High bloodpressure.
• Disturbed blood clotting.
• Inflammations, for example steroids.
• Gout.
• Cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.

Side effects of acetylsalicylic acid cardio

Sometimes side effects occur such as:

• Nausea, vomiting, confusion (notify your doctor immediately, this may be Reye’s disease).
• Stomach bleeding and stomach pain, intestinal bleeding.
• Changes in the blood count.
• Skin rash, allergic reactions.

Pregnancy

Notify your doctor if you have any side effects listed in the package leaflet for acetylsalicylic acid cardio . This also applies to side effects that are not mentioned in the package leaflet. The dosage and method of use depends on the condition for which you are prescribed this medication. The treatment is usually long-term. Only use acetylsalicylic acid cardio during pregnancy if the cardiologist prescribes it.

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