Overview
A healthcare provider will perform a physical exam to see if you have fluid in your lungs. They’ll listen to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope. They’ll be examining you for:
- Increased or decreased heart rate or blood pressure.
- Increased respiratory rate.
- Abnormal heart sounds.
- Crackling sounds or wheezing/whistling sounds in your lungs.
- Swelling of your body.
- Gray or bluish skin.
What tests will be done to diagnose pulmonary edema?
If your healthcare provider thinks you may have fluid in your lungs, they’ll order additional tests, including:
- Complete blood count (CBC).
- Blood chemistries.
- Pulse oximetry, to check your blood oxygen levels.
- Chest X-ray, to see if there’s fluid in your lungs.
- Echocardiogram, an ultrasound of your heart to check for abnormal heart activity.
- Electrocardiogram (EKG), to check for heart rhythm problems or a heart attack.
- Cardiac catheterization, to check for blockages in your coronary arteries.
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Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Complications
Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.
The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.
Prevention
Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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