"Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a medical student. I will be talking with you today about your recent diagnosis of atrial fibrillation. Before we start, could you please confirm your full name and date of birth?"
"The purpose of this consultation is to explain what atrial fibrillation is, how we manage it, and to answer any questions you might have. Is that okay with you?"
"Do I have your consent to proceed?"
"Can you tell me what you already know or have been told about atrial fibrillation?"
"What concerns or expectations do you have about this condition?"
"Please feel free to ask questions or stop me at any time if you want me to explain something more clearly."
"Would you like me to go over all the details about atrial fibrillation, or are there specific areas you want me to focus on?"
"Is there anyone else you would like to have with you while we discuss this?"
"Atrial fibrillation, or AF, is a common heart rhythm disorder. Normally, your heart beats in a regular and controlled way. However, in AF, the upper chambers of your heart, called the atria, beat irregularly and often very quickly because of abnormal electrical signals."
"This irregular heartbeat may cause symptoms like palpitations, feeling tired, dizziness, or breathlessness. Sometimes people don’t notice any symptoms, and AF is found during routine checks."
"One common cause of AF is high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, which can affect the heart's structure and function."
"It’s important to manage AF because it increases the risk of stroke. Blood can pool in the atria and form clots, which can then travel to the brain."
"Treatment focuses on two main goals: preventing strokes and controlling the heart rhythm or rate."
"To prevent strokes, we usually prescribe blood thinning medications called anticoagulants, such as apixaban or rivaroxaban."
"To control your heartbeat, there are two approaches: rate control, which slows the heart rate using medications like beta blockers, and rhythm control, which aims to restore a normal heart rhythm through medications or procedures like cardioversion."
"We also recommend lifestyle changes, such as reducing alcohol and caffeine intake, managing your blood pressure and weight, and avoiding stimulants that can trigger AF."
"You might need regular ECG monitoring and follow-up appointments with your cardiologist to manage this condition effectively."
"To summarise, atrial fibrillation is an irregular heart rhythm that increases your risk of stroke, but with proper treatment including anticoagulation and heart rate or rhythm control, we can manage this risk."
"If you experience chest pain, severe dizziness, fainting, or worsening symptoms, please seek urgent medical attention."
"Here is a leaflet summarising what we discussed today. Do you have any questions or concerns you'd like to discuss?"
"Thank you for your time. Your GP or cardiologist will be in touch with the next steps."
"Is there anything else you would like to know or talk about before we finish?"