Patient education: Atrial flutter – Discharge instructions (The Basics)

What are discharge instructions? — 

Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.

What is atrial flutter? — 

This is a heart problem in which the heart beats much faster than normal. It puts people at risk for strokes and other problems.

In atrial flutter, the electrical signals that control the heartbeat become abnormal. As a result, the heart's upper chambers do not pump well. Blood that should move out of these chambers gets left behind. As the blood pools, it can start to form clots. These clots can travel up to the brain through the blood vessels, and cause strokes.

You might need medicines to treat atrial flutter. These can include medicines to:

●Help control the rhythm and speed of your heartbeat

●Keep clots from forming

If medicines do not work, you might need a procedure to treat atrial flutter.

How do I care for myself at home? — 

Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.

You should also:

●Take all of your medicines as instructed.

●Follow your doctor's instructions to keep your blood pressure under control, if you have high blood pressure.

●Quit smoking, if you smoke. Your doctor or nurse can help.

●Get some physical activity each day. Even gentle activity, like walking, is good for your health.

●Avoid or limit alcohol.

●Avoid cocaine, amphetamines, or other illegal drugs. These can make your heart beat faster and damage your heart.

●Try to keep a healthy body weight. Having excess body weight can make symptoms worse.

What follow-up care do I need? — 

Your doctor or nurse will tell you if you need to make a follow-up appointment. If so, make sure that you know when and where to go. You might need to see a heart doctor (cardiologist).

When should I call the doctor? — 

Call for an ambulance (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if you:

●Have severe trouble breathing, or pass out

●Have signs of a heart attack, which might include:

•Severe chest pain, pressure, or discomfort with:

-Breathing trouble, sweating, upset stomach, or cold and clammy skin

-Pain in your arms, back, or jaw

-Pain that gets worse with activity like walking up stairs

●Have signs of a stroke, which might include (figure 1):

•Numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on 1 side of the body

•Confusion, or trouble speaking or understanding

•Trouble seeing in 1 or both eyes

•Trouble walking, dizziness, or loss of balance or coordination

•Severe headache with no known cause

Call your doctor for advice if you:

●Have trouble breathing when talking or sitting still

●Feel your heart racing, and it does not stop after a while (for example, 1 hour)

●Are lightheaded or more tired than normal

More on this topic

Patient education: Atrial flutter (The Basics)
Patient education: Heart attack (The Basics)
Patient education: Stroke (The Basics)

Patient education: Heart attack (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Stroke symptoms and diagnosis (Beyond the Basics)