• HDL is called the “good’ cholesterol. It
moves out of the bloodstream and does
not block your blood vessels. HDL levels
are affected by how much you exercise and
what you eat. For most people, HDL should
be 40 or higher if you’re a man and 50 or
higher if you’re a woman.
My HDL Cholesterol is: __________________
• LDL is called the “bad” cholesterol. This
is because it can stick to your artery walls
and block blood flow. LDL levels are most
affected by what you eat. For most people,
LDL should be lower than 100.
My LDL Cholesterol is: __________________
• Triglyceride is a type of fat the body uses
to store energy. Too much triglyceride
can increase your risk for heart disease.
Triglyceride levels should be under 150.
My triglyceride is: __________________
extra electrical signals. These extra signals
make the atria beat very quickly and unevenly.
• The atria beat so fast and unevenly that
they may quiver instead of contracting. If
the atria don’t contract, they don’t move
enough blood into the ventricles. This is
what leads to symptoms such as dizziness
and weakness.
• Blood that isn’t kept moving can pool and
form clots in the atria. These clots can
move into other parts of the body and
cause serious problems, such as a stroke.
Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation: Palpitations
(a fluttering, fast heartbeat), weakness or
tiredness, shortness of breath, chest pain or
tightness, dizziness or lightheadedness, or
fainting spells.
Taking Coumadin
What is Atrial Flutter/
Atrial Fibrillation?
Coumadin (warfarin) helps keep your blood
from clotting. But it also increases your risk
for bleeding. Because of this, it must be
taken exactly as directed. You also need to
protect yourself from injury.
Electrical system problems of the heart may
make the atria beat faster than normal. If the
atria beat quickly, but still evenly, it is called
atrial flutter. If the atria beat very quickly
and unevenly, it is called atrial fibrillation.
Follow These Tips
• Take Coumadin at the same time each day.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you
remember – unless it’s almost time for your
next dose. If so, skip the missed dose. Do
not take a double dose.
• Go for your blood (protime/INR) tests
as often as directed. Note that diet and
medication can affect your protime/INR level.
When the Atria Beat Too Fast
The atria may beat quickly only once in
a while (paroxysmal). Or, they may beat
quickly all the time (chronic). Atrial flutter or
fibrillation can be caused by such things as a
heart attack, high blood pressure, or a thyroid
problem. Or the cause may be unknown.
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