Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a condition that is characterized by patients experiencing fluttering and/or irregular heartbeats. The condition is known to cause strokes, but it can also cause hypertension, coronary heart disease, pulmonary embolisms and heart valve disease. While changing heartbeats is a large symptom of AF, the condition can also be asymptomatic for some people, which is why it is important that patients understand that some therapies and treatments may feel like they work, but they don’t lessen the care required for patients.

While there are numerous treatments for AF, there are many myths associated with both the condition and treatments for it. That is why I have decided to debunk some of those myths here.

Myth 1: Experiencing Few (2 or less) Episodes of AF Likely Means it Won’t Return: The truth is that AF is a chronic condition, which means that over time, it will worsen and potentially lead to complications linked to AF such as blood clots and stroke.

Myth 2: Cardioversion Treatment Cures AF: While electrical cardioversion therapy can shock the heart into beating normally for a while, patients continue to require prescription meds for daily stroke prevention and to prevent blood clots.

Myth 3: If Medication Doesn’t Stop AF Recurrences, It’s Not Working: Often times AF medications can work in lessening the recurrences of AF; however, drugs do not cure you of all episodes. Sometimes other methods of treatments like cardioversion or catheter ablations may still be needed.

Myth 4: If Medication Prevents AF Recurrences, You’re Cured: Wrong! There is currently no cure for AF. While some of the surgical procedures and medications can help lessen the onset of AF recurrences dramatically for some patients, ongoing maintenance is still a necessity.

Myth 5: If Ablation Works, You No Longer Have to Take Prescription Medications: Wrong! Even if the ablation therapy works in lessening recurrences of AF, patients still require anticoagulant medications to help prevent blood clots that can lead to strokes.

While there are numerous treatments and prescription medications for treating AF, one of those medications has proven extremely dangerous and has been recommended for use only if other treatments fail. That medication is Sanofi-Aventis’ Multaq. Like many prescription medications, Multaq can be a dangerous drug to take once the side effects are considered. Some of the serious side effects linked to Multaq include a worsening of the heart condition, liver failure, lung disease and pulmonary toxicity.

If you or a loved one has suffered from liver failure, a worsening of the heart condition, lung disease or pulmonary toxicity after taking Multaq, contact attorney Greg Jones for a free consultation today. I am experienced at fighting Multaq lawsuits and may be able to help you recover money for your injuries.