Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained heart rhythm disorder. The upper chambers of the heart beat chaotically instead of with a steady rhythm, which reduces pumping efficiency and allows blood to pool and clot. That clot risk is why AF is a leading cause of stroke. Prevalence rises sharply with age and is climbing across East and Southeast Asia alongside ageing populations and increasing rates of high blood pressure.

Medicines used to treat Atrial Fibrillation

Eliquis

Apixaban

2.5 · 5mg

Utilized for stroke prevention to mitigate clotting risks.

From $0.43 / tablet View

Digoxin Tablets

Digoxin

0.25mg

Designed to support heart rhythm regulation, indicated to manage chronic heart failure.

From $0.44 / tablet View

Pradaxa

Dabigatran

150mg

Intended to alleviate the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in atrial fibrillation.

From $6.07 / capsule View

Tambocor

Flecainide

50 · 100mg

Indicated for cardiac arrhythmias, formulated to target sodium channels and alleviate electrical instability to support a normal heart rhythm.

From $1.47 / tablet View

Betapace

Sotalol

40mg

Indicated to manage ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias to mitigate the risk of life-threatening heart rhythm irregularities.

From $1.00 / tablet View

What AF feels like

Many people notice a fluttering or racing sensation in the chest, shortness of breath, fatigue, or lightheadedness. Some feel nothing at all and AF is found incidentally on an ECG. Palpitations that come and go (paroxysmal AF) are common early on; over time the rhythm may become persistent.

Seek urgent care if AF is accompanied by chest pain, sudden weakness on one side of the body, or difficulty speaking, as these may signal a stroke.

How AF is managed

Treatment has two goals: controlling the heart rate or restoring normal rhythm, and reducing stroke risk.

Rate control keeps the ventricles from beating too fast. Digoxin has been used for decades and remains useful in certain patients. Sotalol and flecainide are used to maintain or restore sinus rhythm, particularly in paroxysmal AF without structural heart disease.

Stroke prevention is equally important. Warfarin was long the standard anticoagulant; newer options such as apixaban and dabigatran offer more predictable dosing with fewer dietary interactions. The choice depends on kidney function, other health conditions, and individual risk.

AF often sits alongside other heart and blood pressure conditions, and managing those underlying factors, controlling hypertension, treating sleep apnoea, reducing alcohol intake, can reduce how often episodes occur and how severe they feel.