Heart & Veins

What can I do?

Can I still exercise if I have atrial
fibrillation?

What do I need to be aware of regarding my
diet if I have atrial fibrillation?

How often do I need to go for routine check-ups?

Is ASA sufficient as a blood thinner if I
have atrial fibrillation?

How-Where-What

1. What can I do?

If you are experiencing irregular heartbeats or palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue or chest tightness, you should sit down and breathe slowly. Stay calm. Call the emergency services. You should at any rate make an appointment with your general practitioner to discuss the incident with him.

How-Where-What

2. Can I still exercise if I have atrial fibrillation?

Exercise has several health benefits even if you have atrial fibrillation. Make an appointment with your doctor to discuss the topic: List the possible types of exercise and simple daily activities that would do you good. Examples of appropriate types of exercise would be swimming, aqua gym, Nordic walking or cycling. You may also want to consider going for gymnastics in so-called heart-training groups.

How-Where-What

3. What do I need to be aware of regarding my diet if I have atrial fibrillation?

Reduce your consumption of meat and alcohol and have more fruits and vegetables. Please note that cruciferous vegetables (e.g. broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and cauliflower), beans or spinach may not be compatible with Marcumar ^® or Falithrom^®. Newer generation anticoagulants do not require you to abstain from any types of food. Discuss with your doctor how you can use the right diet to prevent a stroke.

How-Where-What

4. How often do I need to go for routine check-ups?

If you are taking Marcumar ^® or Falithrom^® for stroke prevention in the presence of atrial fibrillation, the effect of these drugs needs to be monitored regularly to adjust the dosage. In the case of the new, non-vitamin K dependent oral anticoagulants, you do not need to be monitored this closely. However, regular check-ups are advisable particularly at the start of treatment or when the clinical circumstances require such a check-up.

How-Where-What

5. Is ASA sufficient as a blood thinner if I have atrial fibrillation?

According to the latest European treatment guidelines, ASA does not sufficiently protect patients with atrial fibrillation from strokes, so it should no longer be used as a prophylactic for strokes. You should discuss the best possible therapy for you and the quality of life you desire with your doctor.

Medical Information

Monday-Friday	9am-5pm
Phone:	+32/02 352 76 11
Email:	medicalinfo.belgium@bms.com

How-Where-What

1. What can I do?

If you are experiencing irregular heartbeat or palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, fatigue or chest tightness, you should sit down and breathe slowly. Stay calm. Call the emergency services. You should at any rate make an appointment with your general practitioner to discuss the incident with him.

2. Can I exercise if I have atrial fibrillation?

3. What do I need to be aware of regarding my diet if I have atrial fibrillation?

4. How often do I need to go for routine check-ups?

5. Is ASA sufficient as a blood thinner if I have atrial fibrillation?

According to the latest European treatment guidelines, ASA does not sufficiently protect patients with atrial fibrillation from strokes. Thus it should no longer be used as a prophylactic for strokes. You should discuss the best possible therapy for you and the quality of life you desire with your doctor.

Medical Information

Monday-Friday	9am-5pm
Phone:	+32/02 352 76 11
Email:	medicalinfo.belgium@bms.com