In 10 percent of cases, no underlying heart disease is found. In these cases, AF may be related to alcohol, excessive caffeine use, stress, some drugs, electrolyte or metabolic imbalances, or severe infections. In some cases, no cause may be found. The risk of AF increases with age, especially after 60. Some people have AF without any symptoms at all.
Atrial fibrillation decreases the heart's pumping ability.
These monitoring devices help the doctor learn if you are having irregular heart beats, what kind they are, how long they last and what may cause them. Treatment for AF is aimed at regaining normal heart rhythm, controlling heart rate and preventing clots and stroke. A variety of drugs are available to treat arrhythmias. Because everyone is different, it may take trials of several mediations and doses to find the one that works best for you. It is important to know the names of your medications, what they are for and how often and at what times to take them.