title: Evidenced-based pharmacotherapy for rate control in atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia found in older adults that places them at a high risk for stroke. The presence of AF in an individual, especially older than 60 years, increases the risk of mortality, affects quality of life, and increases prevalence of heart failure. The goal of AF treatment is to maintain heart rate or rhythm control and stroke prevention through anticoagulation. With appropriate management of AF an improvement of symptoms and a reduced morbidity from stroke or heart failure can be achieved. The best treatment for AF is prevention and early diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, California 92040, USA. hbivens@pointloma.edu
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Greenberg
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants