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What is Atrial Fibrillation?

An irregular and frequently speedy heartbeat is known as atrial fibrillation (AFib). The heart's top chambers, known as the atria, beat erratically and chaotically when atrial fibrillation occurs. They don't beat in time with the ventricles, which are the lower heart chambers, leading to an increased risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.

What is the Importance of Timely Treatment?

To control symptoms like palpitations and exhaustion, lower the risk of heart failure, and avoid consequences like strokes, atrial fibrillation (AF) must be treated quickly.

Early intervention improves overall quality of life, restores normal heart rhythm, and controls the formation of blood clots.

What are the Common Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation?

AFib symptoms might include:

  • Palpitations (rapid, fluttering, or hammering heartbeat).
  • Chest discomfort.
  • Lightheadedness.
  • Exhaustion.
  • Dizziness.
  • Diminished exercise capacity.
  • Breathlessness.
  • Weakness.

Types of Atrial Fibrillation (Afib)

The duration of Afib episodes determines the classification of atrial fibrillation:

  • Paroxysmal Afib: Episodes of paroxysmal afib typically end on their own without medical intervention and last less than a week.
  • Persistent Afib: Episodes of persistent afib that continue for over a week usually require specialised care to lower the heart rate or restore sinus rhythm.
  • Long-term persistent Afib: Treatment for long-term persistent Afib can be challenging and lasts more than a year.
  • Permanent Afib: Long-term Afib that hasn't responded to efforts to break and remain out of Afib is referred to as permanent Afib.

Causes, Risk Factors and Complications of Atrial Fibrillation

Causes

AFib can result from the following heart conditions and health issues:

  • A congenital heart defect
  • Sick sinus syndrome (an issue with the heart's natural pacemaker)
  • Obstructive sleep apnea (sleep disorder).
  • Heart attack.
  • Heart valve disorders.
  • Elevated blood pressure.
  • Lung conditions, such as pneumonia.
  • Coronary artery disease is characterised by narrowed or blocked arteries.
  • Thyroid conditions like hyperactivity.
  • Viral infections.

Risk Factors

  • Age: As you age, you are more likely to develop AFib.
  • Using illegal medications, caffeine, or nicotine: These substances can make your heart beat more quickly.
  • Excessive alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption can alter the heart's electrical signals.
  • Variations in the body's mineral levels: The heartbeat is aided by minerals in the blood known as electrolytes.
  • Cardiac issues or heart surgery: The risk of AFib is increased by cardiac valve dysfunction, coronary artery disease, and birth defects.
  • Elevated blood pressure: The risk of coronary artery disease is increased by high blood pressure.
  • Being overweight: Obese people are more likely to experience atrial fibrillation.
  • Other chronic medical issues: Diabetes, chronic kidney illness, lung disease, or sleep apnea may increase your risk of developing AFib.
  • A few medications: Unusual heartbeats can result from prescription medications and over-the-counter cough and cold remedies.
  • Thyroid disease: An overactive thyroid gland might increase the risk of irregular heartbeats.

Complications

Serious health issues can arise from atrial fibrillation. Therefore, it is essential to recognise the warning signals, communicate them to your loved ones, and seek treatment as soon as possible. Some of the complications of atrial fibrillations include the following:

  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Bleeding in your brain, digestive system or urinary tract
  • Heart failure
  • Cardiac arrest/fainting

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Latest Research and Technologies in the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation in the United Arab Emirates

  • A non-thermal, sophisticated approach using electrical pulses for safer, faster, and more precise treatment of atrial fibrillation with less tissue damage.
  • Cutting down on recuperation time and increasing treatment accuracy, innovative electrical pulse therapy targets irregular cardiac rhythms.

Atrial Fibrillation Prevention Tips

Adopting a healthy lifestyle may help prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib) and lower the risk of heart disease. Here are some fundamental heart-healthy guidelines:

  • Manage high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes
  • Avoid tobacco use and smoking
  • Saturated fat and sodium through diet should be low
  • Unless your medical team advises otherwise, try to get in at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week
  • Get enough rest. Seven to nine hours a day is what adults should strive for
  • Keep your weight in check
  • Manage and lessen stress

Treatment options for Atrial Fibrillation

Catheter ablation: A tiny, flexible tube called a catheter is inserted by a physician into a blood vessel in the heart during a technique known as catheter ablation. The catheter restores a regular heartbeat by blocking abnormal electrical signals and making tiny scars in the heart tissue using sensors and radiofrequency energy.

Pacemaker implantations: A little gadget called a pacemaker is inserted into the chest to help regulate the heartbeat. It helps adjust the heart's rhythm by sending an electrical signal when it detects an irregular heartbeat. If atrial tachycardia cannot be treated with existing methods, a pacemaker may be required.


Cost Start From USD 7000 - USD 0Explore Options

  • Clinical Assessment
    • Physical Exam: During a physical examination, a medical professional might listen to your heart and take your pulse to detect an irregular beating.
    • Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): An EKG test is a quick and straightforward method to determine whether you have a cardiac condition.
    • Blood tests to check your electrolyte levels.
    • Stress test: An exercise stress test can help you determine how well your heart works when exerting itself.
    • Electrophysiology study (EPS): An electrophysiology investigation, often known as an EP study, examines the electrical activity of your heart.
  • Imaging Tests
    • Echocardiogram: An ultrasound examination called echocardiography examines the anatomy and physiology of your heart.
    • Holter monitor: This portable ECG gadget can be worn daily or longer to record the heart's activity while performing daily tasks.
    • Computed tomography (CT): An imaging test called a CT (computed tomography) scan aids medical professionals in identifying illnesses and wounds.
    • Chest X-ray: An X-ray of the chest reveals the state of the heart and lungs.
  • Other Diagnostic:
    • Ambulatory monitors: Devices that can capture your heart's electrical activity over extended periods are called ambulatory electrical monitors.
    • Tilt table test: Your body's reaction to standing up after lying down is demonstrated by a tilt table test. It accomplishes this safely with fabric straps that prevent you from falling if your blood pressure drops.
    • Cardiac catheterisation: Your doctor inserts a long, thin tube, called a catheter, into a blood vessel in your arm or leg and guides it to your coronary arteries during a cardiac catheterisation.

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) rehabilitation options include:

  • Programs for Cardiac Rehabilitation: Personalised plans include counselling, education, and exercise to help control AFib and enhance heart health.
  • Lifestyle Changes: To reduce AFib triggers, promote weight control, quit smoking, and consume less alcohol.

Medications that may be used for atrial fibrillation include:

  • Beta-blockers
  • Calcium channel blockers
  • Medicines to control the heart rate and rhythm
  • Blood thinners, also called anticoagulants

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Hospitals for Atrial Fibrillation in United Arab Emirates

Zulekha Hospital Dubai: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Zulekha Hospital Dubai

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Zulekha Hospital Dubai located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is accredited by ISO, JCI. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:

  • The bed capacity of Zulekha Hospital Dubai is 140.
  • Diagnostic centers, pharmacies, inpatient and outpatient care are provided at Zulekha Hospital Dubai.
  • This hospital provides the best of healthcare packages
  • Its surgical base is really strong with the hospital having successfully initiated and completed minimally invasive surgeries, joint replacement surgeries, bariatric surgeries, cardiac, and neonatal surgeries.
  • Radiology, laboratory, operating theatres, dialysis section and Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory are all present in Zulekha Hospital Dubai, UAE.
Iranian Hospital: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Iranian Hospital

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Design structure of any hospital is very important. It shows the level of concern that a Hospital is considering for its patients’ comfort.

As a whole, Iranian Hospital is equipped with 187 premium beds, 35 speciality clinics, 10 ICU Beds, 12 Neonatal ICU beds, 9 CCU beds, 8 Operation Theatres and 24 Paediatric beds.

The Hospital has medical & comfort facilities for both the segments:

  • Inpatients
  • Outpatients

Inpatient Services:

  • 24*7 Emergency Services- consist of 18 general beds, 3 VIP Acute care and 1 Isolation room
  • ICU: 19 beds plus one VIP suite room
  • CCU: 8 beds plus one VIP suite room
  • Internal Medicine ward with 2 VIP Patient suite rooms and 26 beds
  • For health tourists, Global Healthcare Department is present with VIP ward with 10 VIP Suite rooms
  • Surgical wards on gender basis (Men or Women)- 21 beds each + 1 VIP suite room
  • Surgery ward for Day care- 6 beds + 2 private suite rooms
  • 8 Operating rooms fully equipped with modern equipment for laparoscopic surgery
  • Fully equipped Cath-lab with 4 beds recovery unit _ immediate access to operating room for cardiac surgery
  • 38 beds + 1 VIP Suite room for Gynecology and obstetrics
  • 6 labor and 3 delivery beds in labour ward + 1 Emergency room for obstetrics OR
  • 12 beds in Neonatal ICU (NICU)
  • 24 beds + 2 VIP suite rooms in Paediatric ward
  • An Intensive Care Unit with 4 beds and 1 isolation unit for Paediatrics

Outpatients Sevices: Speciality clinics such as General Physician clinics, surgical clinic, Cosmetic & Aesthetic clinic, Ophthalmology clinic, Dentistry, Paediatrics clinic, etc. When it comes to accommodation, people get very conscious while choosing the Hospital. Iranian Hospital is the best at it as Hospital rooms are like luxury apartments equipped with all the amenities required by patients and their families. Services available at the Hospital during stay:

  • Private & shared rooms
  • Nurse call system by the bed
  • Specialized menus for specialized diets are prepared and screened individually by experienced dieticians. Guest trays are available as per request
  • Cleaning & Repairing of rooms to maintain cleanliness & hygiene
  • Each hospital bed has its own telephone extensions

NMC Royal Hospital, Khalifa City: Top Doctors, and Reviews
NMC Royal Hospital, Khalifa City

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

NMC Royal Hospital, Khalifa City located in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates is accredited by JCI. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:

  • Capacity for 500 beds
  • 53 Critical Care beds
  • 24-hour Emergency Services
  • 24-hour Ambulance Service
  • OPD (Outpatient department treatment)
  • An Automated Laboratory
  • The Hospital has the first hybrid Operating Theatre with flex move system
  • First NICU and PICU Combination set up

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Why Choose the United Arab Emirates for Atrial Fibrillation Treatment?

Here are some reasons to choose the United Arab Emirates for atrial fibrillation (AF) treatment:

  • Advanced medical facilities with minimally invasive techniques like catheter ablation.
  • World-class experts, including highly experienced cardiologists, are in JCI-accredited hospitals.
  • It is a cost-effective treatment compared to many other countries.
  • International patient services with multilingual support for seamless communication.
  • Cutting-edge treatment methods include rhythm control therapies and novel anticoagulant options.

Frequently Asked Questions

The main goals of Afib treatment include:

  • Controlling your heart rate
  • Getting the heart rhythm back to normal.
  • Lowering your chance of suffering a stroke.

Initially, your doctor will probably prescribe medicine to test if it helps with your symptoms.

Treatment may not stop Afib from returning. Atrial fibrillation gets worse and is more difficult to cure as it advances. Medications that have been effective for you in the past might not be so in the future. Although they cannot treat Afib, medical professionals can control its symptoms. Discuss the best action for your management and treatment with your healthcare practitioner.

In the United Arab Emirates, atrial fibrillation treatments have a very high success rate; cutting-edge methods like Pulse Field Ablation (PFA) and PulseSelect have success rates of 80–90%.

These therapies provide better accuracy, quicker recovery, and fewer side effects. The UAE is a leader in innovative cardiac treatment due to the employment of state-of-the-art equipment along with skilled doctors who guarantee good patient outcomes.

If you have Afib symptoms, call your doctor right away. If your pulse is weak or irregular, it may indicate Afib. If your Afib isn't advanced, you can feel breathless or weary.

Reducing your risk for Afib involves cutting back on four main risk factors: tobacco use, excessive alcohol use, obesity, and physical inactivity.

Eat heart-healthy meals, get cardiovascular activity, drink less alcohol, and give up tobacco products and smoking to achieve this.

These lifestyle modifications can result in weight loss, decreased blood pressure, and reduced cholesterol, with each beneficial change having a cumulative impact.


The frequency of screening for heart disease or AFib consequences is as follows:

  • Patients with a diagnosis of AFib should have follow-ups every three to six months to check their heart rhythm, symptoms, and therapy.
  • People at high risk (such as those with diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history): examinations for more thorough monitoring every three months.
  • Low-risk or asymptomatic individuals: yearly screenings or as advised by your physician.
  • Follow-ups, as advised by your physician, are usually every six to twelve months following operations such as surgery or ablation.

Always follow your doctor's specific instructions on the frequency of screenings.