Article: Many arrhythmias are harmless or require minimal treatment plans. Your doctor will always prefer medication to a surgical procedure if medication is enough to treat your arrhythmia on its own. Your doctor will consider a variety of factors, including your age, medical history, and type of arrhythmia based on diagnostic testing. For example, medications cannot reliably speed up your heart to treat a slow heartbeat (bradycardia), but they can help with arrhythmias stemming from a heart that beats erratically or too fast (tachycardia). A medication can (when taken according to your prescription) help to slow a fast heartbeat or even reduce the potential for complications stemming from your arrhythmia. Some of the most seriousand potentially life-threateningcomplications of arrhythmia include stroke, heart failure, and sudden cardiac arrest. An arrhythmia is often a symptom itself of another underlying condition. Your doctor's diagnostic testing may undercover that your condition has resulted from a thyroid problem or even heart disease. In this instance, your doctor may prescribe a medication (such as one to treat hyperthyroidism) as well as a medication to combat your arrhythmia during the process. As with any medications, take exactly as directed by your doctor. One of the most common forms of arrhythmia is known as atrial fibrillation (AFib). This arrhythmia allows your blood to pool, increasing the risk of clotting and therefore stroke as one of the chambers in your heart pumps ineffectively. Your doctor will likely prescribe a blood-thinning medication to reduce the potential for your blood to clot in these instances. Common drugs used for this purpose include aspirin and warfarin (Coumadin), which you should always take according to your doctor's recommended schedule. Blood-thinning medications often come with the risk of excess bleeding, and you must inform your doctor of all other drugs you take before beginning this treatment plan. You may also have to submit to regular blood testing to assure the medication is at the correct dosage, especially for warfarin. These options can help with converting the heart rhythm to normal (cardioversion). Your doctor will have a large assortment of these drugs to choose from, and you may have to try several before finding one that manages your arrhythmia without adverse side effects. During the trial-and-error process, you may experience a worsened arrhythmia from some of these drugs, so your doctor will likely prescribe a blood-thinning medication in association to reduce the risk of stroke. Common options include: Amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone) Bepridil hydrochloride (Vascor) Flecainide (Tambocor) Ibutilide (Corvert) Calcium channel blockers (calcium antagonists) prevent the movement of calcium into cardiac tissue, resulting in a slowed heart rate. This makes these a common choice for slowing a fast heart rate (tachycardia), especially in situations where antiarrhythmic drugs haven't worked or are not recommended by your doctor. Options include felodipine (Plendil), isradipine (Dynacirc), and nicardipine (Cardene). They are usually taken daily. Don't take these drugs if you are pregnant. Don't drink grapefruit juice when taking calcium channel blockers because it may increase drug concentration and have a toxic effect. Beta blockers reduce the effects of adrenaline, which can also treat arrhythmia caused by a fast heartbeat. Your doctor is more likely to prescribe these drugs if heart disease is the underlying cause of your arrhythmia because they can also treat angina pains associated with heart disease. Common options include acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), and betaxolol (Kerlone). This drug is usually taken daily. You shouldn't use this drug if you are lactating or pregnant. Side effects can include hypotension, bradycardia, and difficulty breathing. There is increased risk of hypoglycemia if you combine this drug with insulin.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Consult your doctor. Learn the treatment goals of medication. Treat any underlying condition. Ask about antiplatelet and anticoagulant treatments. Look into anti-arrhythmic drugs. Ask about calcium channel blockers. Consult your doctor about beta blockers.
Article: This may be difficult, as many people are taught not to talk about our feelings. However, this is an essential part of rebuilding a marriage. An intimate relationship requires bravery. Saying your feelings means taking responsibility for them, rather than blaming the other person. As you move past the initial rebuilding stage, continue to deepen your relationship with one another. The best way to do this is through developing habits of trust and vulnerability. You may want to find your own ways to practice talking about feelings. For example, some marriages are helped by setting a "date night" where honest communication can happen. Other people find that communicating difficult feelings via writing can be easier. In a healthy marriage, each partner takes responsibility for her own thoughts, feelings, and words. You have a choice in how you respond to each other. A good practice to develop is to use "I" statements when talking about sensitive subjects with your spouse. Instead of saying "You did..." or "You felt...", try to stick to your own perspective. "I did..." or "I felt..." This simple technique will open the conversation to a deeper level of honesty. If your partner blames you for something, don't become defensive. This only escalates the situation. Instead, speak honestly about your feelings. Remember, your emotions and your emotional reactions are your own. They are not the responsibility of your spouse. Sometimes disagreements occur even in the healthiest marriage. You can minimize the damage they do by exiting the argument on a better feeling. Ways that couples find to repair their relationship after an argument include: using humor, finding ways to agree with one another, and showing sincere appreciation for the other person's perspective. Keeping your commitment to each other helps keep your argument in perspective. Remember the adage, "How important is it?" In 20 years, likely neither of you will remember this argument anyway. Your relationship is more important than being right in this disagreement. You can choose to focus on the positives in each other, even during an argument. Doing this is an excellent practice, offering deeper insight into your marriage. A therapist, professional or religious counselor can be helpful in understanding the patterns that developed in your marriage. Talk to each other about what kind of resources you might need to rebuild your marriage. While you may choose individually to seek help from a trusted resource, the person who helps you rebuild as a couple must work for both of you. For example, if you are a deeply religious person but your spouse is not, a religious counselor might not be the best choice for your marriage helper. Consider using a therapist or professional marriage counselor instead. A couple that knows more about the way their problems develop may be able to better resolve them, or they might need additional help. A counselor can help you learn to be patient with each other while you rebuild your marriage. A marriage won't be rebuilt overnight. It will take time to recognize and change long-established patterns of communication and trust. Learn to give your spouse the benefit of the doubt, and assume that she's acting in sincerity. Don't rush this process. Forgiveness and trust are very intimate issues, different for each person. Allow your spouse the time he needs to develop these qualities for himself, and allow yourself the same thing. Don't panic if these don't develop immediately. If you find yourself feeling angry or frustrated, take some time apart from one another to calm down.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Confide your feelings to each other. Avoid blame. Learn to repair after an argument. Find the right kind of help. Practice patience.