What AFib Is and How It's Treated
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common rhythm problem of the heart. It is treatable, and in certain patients a procedure called ablation can potentially cure it.
What happens in your heart during AFib
Your heart has two top chambers called the atria. Normally they beat in a steady, regular pattern. When AFib develops, these chambers start twitching at a very fast rate instead of squeezing in rhythm.
The result is an irregular heartbeat. Sometimes it runs too fast, and sometimes too slow. Some people feel it right away as a flutter, a pounding or a skipped beat. Others feel nothing at all and only find out when a pulse check or a blood pressure machine shows something is off.
First Coast Cardiovascular Institute (FCCI) puts it simply: if you notice an irregular heartbeat when checking your pulse, or your home blood pressure machine flags an irregular heartbeat, you should be suspicious of AFib and get it checked.
- Irregular or racing pulse
- Shortness of breath
- A feeling that your heart is out of step
- A home blood pressure cuff that shows an irregular heartbeat symbol
Why AFib matters: stroke and heart failure
Most people tolerate AFib well. But FCCI's own patient education is clear that in some cases it can lead to serious problems:
- Stroke, caused by a blood clot that forms when the top chambers are not squeezing well
- A weaker heart muscle that over time, can lead to congestive heart failure
- Ongoing symptoms like shortness of breath and an irregular heartbeat you can feel
That is why AFib care is not only about how you feel today. It is also about lowering your chances of a stroke down the road. A heart rhythm doctor will look at your whole picture and talk with you about whether a blood thinner or another stroke-prevention option makes sense for you.
Emergency? AFib with chest pain, fainting, trouble breathing, or stroke signs like face drooping, arm weakness or slurred speech needs 911 right away, not an office visit.
How FCCI treats AFib
FCCI says treatment of AFib takes a team approach. Depending on your situation, your plan may include:
- Blood thinners to reduce the chance of a blood clot
- Medications to control the rate and rhythm of your heart
- A sleep apnea evaluation, since FCCI recommends patients with AFib be checked for it (FCCI offers sleep medicine and home sleep testing)
- Weight loss, if you are overweight, to help better control the condition
- Catheter ablation, a procedure that can potentially cure AFib in certain patients
- Left atrial appendage closure (Watchman or Amulet) for some patients, performed by FCCI's Director of Electrophysiology
Your doctor will explain which of these fit you, and why. To set up a visit with an FCCI heart rhythm specialist, call 904.493.3333.
Where AFib starts, and why it matters.
Tap or hover a part of the heart to see its role in atrial fibrillation.
The heart's natural pacemaker, in the right atrium. In a normal rhythm, every beat starts here.
In AFib, the two upper chambers quiver with fast, chaotic electrical signals instead of squeezing in a steady rhythm.
Where these veins join the left atrium is the most common source of the extra signals that set off AFib. Catheter ablation targets this area.
A small pouch off the left atrium. When the atria quiver, blood can pool here and form clots that may cause a stroke. Watchman and Amulet devices close it off.
The relay between the upper and lower chambers. Some rate-control medicines work by slowing signals here.
The main pumping chambers. During AFib they get irregular signals, so the pulse can feel fast, uneven or fluttery.
A simplified illustration for education, not to scale.
Talk with a specialist.
New patients are welcome. Call 904.493.3333, Mon to Fri, 8am to 5pm, or request a visit online.
Is AFib dangerous?
Most people tolerate AFib well, but it can lead to a stroke from a blood clot or weaken the heart muscle. That is why it should be checked and managed by a doctor.
Can AFib be cured?
FCCI notes that in certain patients an ablation procedure can potentially cure AFib. Whether you are a candidate depends on your exam and tests.
How do I know if I have AFib?
An irregular pulse or an irregular heartbeat warning on a home blood pressure machine are common clues. A doctor confirms it with heart rhythm testing.
Who treats AFib at FCCI?
FCCI's electrophysiologists, Dr. Firas El Sabbagh and Dr. Deepak Kumar Pasupula, specialize in heart rhythm problems. Call 904.493.3333.
Keep exploring.
SymptomsHeart Palpitations and Irregular Beats
Palpitations are a racing, pounding, fluttering or skipping heartbeat. Many are harmless, but an irregular pulse can be a sign of AFib or another rhythm problem, so it is worth getting checked.
Read more
TreatmentCatheter Ablation for AFib
Ablation is a procedure that can potentially cure AFib in certain patients. Thin catheters are guided from the groin into the heart to treat the small areas that trigger the irregular rhythm.
Read more
TreatmentWatchman and LAA Closure for AFib
Left atrial appendage closure is a procedure that seals off a small pouch in the heart where AFib clots can form. FCCI's Director of Electrophysiology performs it with the Watchman and Amulet devices.
Read more