Treating Atrial Fibrillation Without Medicine

Summary

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DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Because I have atrial fibrillation, I have to take Coumadin, and I have taken it for more than 10 years. I have heard there is a procedure that can stop atrial fibrillation. Will you advise me what that procedure is and what are its pros and cons? - B.W.

ANSWER: Atrial fibrillation is a common heartbeat abnormality. The atria - the upper heart chambers - are not contracting. They're quivering at a rapid rate. The irregular, rapid rate is transferred to the heart's big pumping chambers, the ventricles, so that the heartbeat becomes erratic and fast.

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Extract

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Treating Atrial Fibrillation Without Medicine

One big danger of atrial fibrillation is clot formation within the heart. Pieces of clots can break loose and be carried in the blood to the brain, where they plug brai...

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