Obesity Might Weaken Some Drugs’ Effectiveness Against AFib
Millions of Americans have the potentially dangerous irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation. WebMD Health
AFib
Could Short People Have an Advantage When It Comes to A-Fib?
New research finds that a person’s risk of atrial fibrillation (a-fib) increases by about 3% for every inch over the average height of 5-foot-7. WebMD Health
What Kind of Drinking Can Trigger A-Fib?
The strongest risk factor for a-fib was the number of times per week a person drank. The greatest risk was seen in those who drank every day, followed by drinking twice or once a week. WebMD Health
Beta Blockers Might Fight A-Fib Too
A-fib is a common heart rhythm disorder sometimes triggered by stress and negative emotions. Beta blockers are drugs that block the effects of adrenaline and related substances. WebMD Health
Your Apple Watch Might Help Spot Dangerous A-Fib
The study improves understanding of how this wearable technology and app works in the real-world setting and how well the technology can detect long periods of a-fib, said a study co-leader. WebMD Health
Should You Get Pills or Surgery for A-Fib?
Study subjects who got ablation — where a catheter is used to tweak the heart muscle cells responsible for the arrhythmia — also seemed to have less shortness of breath, less fatigue and all-around better quality of life five years later, with those who got drug therapy alone. WebMD Health
Breast Cancer May Bring Higher Odds for A-fib, Too
The risk for women under 60 years of age more than doubled in the first six months after diagnosis, and rose 80 percent six months to three years after diagnosis, the findings showed. WebMD Health
Doctors: Newer Blood Thinners Best Against A-Fib
The newer drugs are called non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs). Examples include dabigatran (Pradaxa), rivaroxaban (Xarelto) and apixaban (Eliquis). WebMD Health
Could Your Apple Watch Spot Dangerous A-Fib?
The watch contains a simple electrocardiogram (ECG) that tracks your heart rhythm and can detect the presence of atrial fibrillation (“A-fib”), an irregular heartbeat that increases your risk for stroke and heart failure. WebMD Health
Too Much Salt Might Help Spur A-Fib
People with the highest levels of salt in their diet had a higher rate of atrial fibrillation than those with the lowest salt intake in a new study. WebMD Health