Crestline, OH – Elderly Care: When Your Client Has Atrial Fibrillation

Many people suffer from heart problems as they get older. Sometimes their heart may beat abnormally. It’s common for the heart to beat faster after exercise or when a person is nervous, but when the person is at rest, there should be a constant interval between beats. When the heart constantly beats irregularly and rapidly, this is often because of atrial fibrillation. This is the most common cause of irregular heartbeat, as approximately 500,000 new cases are diagnosed in the United States annually.

In many cases, there are no major symptoms associated with atrial fibrillation. However, it can cause complications if not properly treated, so elderly care providers may want to be aware of this condition and find out what they can do to help their clients.

Symptoms

Atrial fibrillation causes rapid heartbeats, which can be uncomfortable for seniors. They may notice the palpitations while doing daily tasks or even while sleeping at night. When blood flow to the heart muscles is reduced, the person may even feel chest pain. Here are some other symptoms associated with atrial fibrillation:

·         Dizziness

·         Fatigue

·         Weakness

·         Fainting

·         Shortness of breath

Complications

Atrial fibrillation can lead to complications such as:

·         Stroke – Atrial fibrillation causes the heart to quiver rather than beat, and this can cause blood to stop flowing and become trapped inside the heart. This tends to form blood clots, which may pass through the lungs or brain and cause a stroke.

·         Heart failure – The body retains fluid when the heart doesn’t pump enough blood, and this leads to heart failure. Heart failure causes swelling in the lungs and lower legs and results in decreased pulmonary and cardiovascular function, which can be life-threatening.

Risk Factors

There are certain conditions that make atrial fibrillation more likely, including the following:

·         Old age

·         High blood pressure

·         Heart disease or prior heart attack or surgery

·         Emphysema, asthma or other lung disease

·         Abnormalities in the heart’s structure

·         Inflammation of the heart’s lining

·         Hyperthyroidism

·         Alcoholism

·         Cocaine use

Young adults with no history of heart issues can also suffer from atrial fibrillation. When this happens, the condition is usually intermittent considered lone atrial fibrillation. This condition may be caused by stress or use of drugs, alcohol or tobacco.

Treatment

Treatment for atrial fibrillation may require medications and even surgery to slow the heart rate and prevent episodes. Treatment may also involve preventing strokes and reversing any factors that cause the episodes.

If you are considering hiring elderly care services near Crestline, Ohio, call the caring staff at Central Star Home Health at (419) 610-2161.  Providing services for families in Mansfield, Lexington, Ashland, Bellville, Crestline, Galion, Loudonville, Mt. Gilead, Shelby, Wooster and the surrounding areas.

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Stephen Sternbach

CEO at Central Star Home Health Services

With over 35 years of experience, Stephen Sternbach has been the Chairman of the Board of Directors, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Star Multi Care Services since 1987. After the sale of the New York and New Jersey operations of Star Multi Care Services, Sternbach brought the company private where he remains President and CEO of this 40-million dollar company. With Sternbach at the helm, Star Multi Care Services employs more than 650 employees, in six offices throughout Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York.

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