How does diltiazem work for afib?

Are you fluttering like a bird with your heart beating faster than Usain Bolt? Are you suffering from the condition that rhymes with ‘rehab’? Put on your seatbelt and grab some electrolyte-infused drinks because we’re going to explain how diltiazem can stop AFib from ruining your day!

What is AFib Anyway?

AFib, aka “Atrial Fibrillation,” is an electrical condition of the heart that makes it quiver like a hummingbird while also throwing off its rhythm. This eventually leads to palpitations, chest pain & shortness of breath – things our cardiac-kebabs could do without.

Normally, our hearts beat within set upper and lower chambers; this shiny little marvel helps blood flow throughout our body. However, in AFIB cases, the top chamber might lose touch with reality every once in a while (and who hasn’t been there?) – creating additional hearts contraction circuits/channels called reentrant circuits.

These are what cause those undesired side effects of rapid contractions (fun fact: up to 400% beats per minute) which reduce oxygen supply leading to inefficient blood pumping. This circus show then results in various uncomfortable symptoms AND potentially deadly conditions such as stroke or worse…

What Can Be Done About it?

Here’s where science comes into play! Your doctor may prescribe medications known as calcium channel blockers – one type is DILTIAZEM for regulating/controlling abnormal heartbeat rhythms.

Yep – You heard right; we will be talking about medication that regulates these unnecessary changes happening when G-rated cardio sessions turn into R-rated ones (pun intended, if only mature videos were as easy to control).

Some patients swear by diltiazem like Dwight K Schrute swears by his beet farm (weird comparison right?) but let’s explore further..

You’re at a nightclub with other muscle-cell specimens. They are pumping iron like there’s no tomorrow; the electricity bouncing off each other creates abnormal heart rhythms. Our fun-loving cells can aid these reentrant circuits, which worsen AFIB (watch out for those bad influences!).

Diltiazem works by regulating these madly fluctuating cell frequencies and thereby reducing their prevalence. It accomplishes this by blocking specific voltage-dependent calcium channels located on cardiac muscles’ membranes (impressive right? And all you thought it did was ‘reduce the flutters’).

By hitting those channels, Diltiazem is successfully able to reduce cellular depolarizations in atrial muscle fibres – preventing them from joining forces with “bad eggs.” This results in fewer action potentials aimed at exciting cardiac cells and decreases overall cardiac pacing rate along with effective relaxation of blood vessel walls (talk about multi-tasking!)

But How Does That Help?

In short: By decreasing the number of extra contractions that occur because of reentrant circuits, more time is given for recuperation within our cardiovascular systems between beats. Regularizing the heartbeat enables consistent & efficient blood flow throughout your body without any flashy side effects; Diltia-who cares if I said it wrong once?

Ultimately diltiazem aids people who cannot control current electrical activity even after regular treatments or those who require long-term treatment options elsewhere!

A High Point

One good thing about using diltiazem over several years is its cardioprotective properties – Sounds like something expensive from Sephora right?

But yes! Studies show that patients taking calcium channel blockers have potentially decreased risks of minor myocardial infarction while still experiencing continued AFib symptoms (reduced hospitalization caused due to arrhythmias) less parking fees ftw!

Safe& Sound

While mostly safe medication on paper, we don’t recommend utilizing it with drugs that slow the metabolic pathways of Diltiazem 😐 (talk about a toxic relationship); examples include protease inhibitors or macrolides antibiotics like erythromycin, as combining this can lead to hypotension (low blood pressure) and severe bradycardia (slow heart rates).

Possible side effectsn

As with any medication, some people may still experience minor recurring symptoms, but hey its nothing compared to dealing with arrhythmias all day (take our word for it). The possible side effectsinclude lightheadedness, fatigue or swelling in hands/feet due to decreased pumping efficiency within veins – A small price compared to what good will come out of it!

While explaining how diltiazem works tends towards scientific explanations that may make eyes glaze over—poof magic! It’s still an effective ally against persistent AFib symptoms. Ultimately, long-term use reduces progressions of atrial fibrillation & enables regular cardiac events leading to many more years filled with love & adoration from either dogs or significant others–

Anyway- You heard right when someone talks about calcium channel blockers; it might just save your life. Don’t underestimate them because we’d much rather have you live your best life than hanging around emergency rooms hoping cardioversions work– Ask your healthcare provider-if dilti-zoo-zum is something they recommend today!