Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is the most common rhythm problem of the heart. It can raise your risk of stroke, but it is treatable, and in certain patients a procedure called ablation can potentially cure it. First Coast Cardiovascular Institute (FCCI) boils it down to five things you need to know. Here they are in plain English.
1. AFib is the most common heart rhythm problem
Your heart has four chambers. The two on top are called the atria. Normally they beat in a steady, regular fashion, handing blood down to the two bottom chambers that pump it out to your body. When AFib develops, the top chambers start twitching at a very fast rate instead of squeezing in rhythm. That makes the whole heartbeat irregular. Sometimes it is too fast, and sometimes it is too slow.
Because it is so common, many people know someone who has it. That also means heart doctors have a lot of experience treating it, and there are many good options.
2. Your pulse or blood pressure machine may tip you off
FCCI says you should be suspicious of AFib if you notice an irregular heartbeat when you check your pulse. Your home blood pressure machine might also show a sign of an irregular heartbeat. Many newer machines have a small symbol that lights up when the rhythm is off.
Some people feel AFib as a flutter, a pounding or a racing heart. Others feel short of breath or tired. And some feel nothing at all. That is why a pulse check or a home reading can be so useful. If you see that warning more than once, mention it to your doctor.
3. Most people tolerate it, but it can be serious
FCCI notes that AFib is well tolerated by most people. In some cases, though, it can lead to serious problems:
- A stroke caused by a blood clot
- A tired, weakened heart muscle that can lead to congestive heart failure over time
- Ongoing symptoms such as shortness of breath and an irregular heartbeat
The stroke risk is the big reason doctors take AFib seriously even when you feel fine. When the top chambers twitch instead of squeezing, blood can pool and form a clot. If that clot travels to the brain, it can cause a stroke.
4. Treatment takes a team approach
FCCI describes AFib treatment as multidisciplinary. That is a long word for a simple idea: several kinds of care work together. Your plan may include:
- Blood thinners to reduce the chance of a blood clot
- Medicines to control the rate and rhythm of your heart
- An evaluation for sleep apnea
- Weight loss, if you are overweight, to help control the condition
FCCI is set up for this kind of teamwork. It has heart rhythm specialists, general cardiologists, an echocardiography lab and a sleep medicine program under one roof, which can save you trips between different offices.
5. AFib can be cured in certain patients
This one surprises people. FCCI says that in certain patients, an invasive procedure can potentially cure this arrhythmia. It is called an ablation. Thin tubes called catheters are passed from the groin into the heart, and the doctor treats the small areas that may be creating the AFib. FCCI notes the procedure usually requires one night stay in the hospital.
Not everyone is a candidate, and no procedure comes with a guarantee. FCCI's electrophysiologists, Dr. Firas El Sabbagh and Dr. Deepak Kumar Pasupula, can tell you whether ablation makes sense for you after reviewing your history and tests.
When AFib is an emergency
Call 911 right away if you have chest pain, fainting, severe shortness of breath, or stroke warning signs such as face drooping, arm weakness or slurred speech. Do not drive yourself and do not wait for an office visit.
Getting care at FCCI
If AFib is new to you, FCCI's heart rhythm team can see you at the Southside office on AC Skinner Parkway or at one of its other locations around Jacksonville, Orange Park, Palatka and Waycross. Medicare, Medicaid of Florida, Tricare and most major plans are accepted.
These five points are a starting place. Your own doctor can tell you which of them matter most for your heart.
Want to go over these five points with a specialist? Phone 904.493.3333 on a weekday between 8AM and 5PM, or leave just your name and number on the appointment request form.
