Atrial fibrillation, more commonly known as AFib, is a type of abnormal heart rhythm. Often, when people experience AFib they describe it as a fluttering in their chest or having the feeling that their heart is skipping beats.
Here, we’ll discuss the symptoms of AFib, common causes and treatments, including WATCHMAN technology, used by one of our very own physicians – Dr. Bayer.
What is AFib
Typically, your heart contracts and releases at a regular, even rhythm. When your heart is in AFib, electrical impulses are firing from multiple sites causing your heart to contract at a less precise and rapid rate, so less blood is getting pumped through your body. This can cause blood to pool in different areas of the heart, leading to blood clots and strokes. In fact, the American Heart Association reports that 15-20% of people who have strokes also have some form of arrhythmia like atrial fibrillation.
Symptoms of AFib
Sometimes, AFib doesn’t present with any symptoms. But, when it does, you can expect the following:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Weakness
- Shortness of breath
Other more serious symptoms can include blood clots, heart failure and stroke.
Treatments & Procedures
First, your cardiologist will assess your risk for a stroke or blood clot. For those with multiple risk factors, anticoagulation medication (aka blood thinner) is often suggested. From there, they will attempt to get your resting heart rate down, which can also be accomplished with medication. Then, your physician will decide whether your AFib can be controlled with medications like beta blockers and digoxin or if surgery is needed.
Dr. Bayer, one of our incredible physicians, recently performed one of the leading procedures in AFib maintenance by implanting her first WATCHMAN FLX Pro, a device used to reduce stroke risk for patients with non-valvular fibrillation. The first of its kind, this cutting-edge technology and procedure enables faster, controlled healing for patients with AFib.
If you believe you are experiencing AFib or are at risk for a stroke, schedule an appointment with one of our heart specialists.
