Atrial Fibrillation Specialist

What is atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is a condition that causes irregular or very rapid heart rhythms. When left untreated, it can cause blood clots in your heart and a higher risk of heart failure, stroke, or other complications. While atrial fibrillation isn’t life-threatening alone, complications associated with it can be. That’s why getting treated for atrial fibrillation is important. 

What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?

If you have symptoms of atrial fibrillation (not everyone notices symptoms), you might experience:

• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Fast heartbeat
• Fluttering heartbeat
• Pounding heartbeat
• Shortness of breath

Atrial fibrillation might be occasional, persistent, long-lasting, or permanent.

What are the risk factors for atrial fibrillation?

While anyone can develop atrial fibrillation, common risk factors include:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Thyroid disease
• Chronic kidney disease
• Lung disease
• Other chronic conditions
• Older age
• Sleep apnea
• Drinking alcohol
• Family history of atrial fibrillation
• Being overweight 

The best way to reduce your risk of atrial fibrillation is to maintain an ideal body weight and adopt healthy lifestyle habits. Eat nutritious foods, don’t smoke, and get regular exercise. Keep stress levels low and limit or avoid caffeine and alcohol. 

How does my doctor diagnose atrial fibrillation?

To find out if you have atrial fibrillation, your SWICFT Cardiology provider discusses your medical history and symptoms. They check your vital signs, listen to your heartbeat, and complete a physical exam.

The experts at SWICFT Cardiology might order chest X-rays, stress tests, electrocardiograms (EKGs), blood tests, Holter monitor testing, or an echocardiogram. 

How is atrial fibrillation treated?

Treatments your cardiologist could recommend for atrial fibrillation include:

Lifestyle changes

Making lifestyle changes can reduce your chance of heart-related complications. Eat a diet that’s rich in fiber and low in animal fats. Get regular exercise, don’t smoke or drink excessive amounts of alcohol, and maintain a healthy body weight. Properly manage high cholesterol and high blood pressure if you have these conditions. 

Medications

Taking medications can control your heart’s rate and rhythm to restore normal functioning. Some medicines also reduce your risk of blood clots.

Cardioversion therapy

Cardioversion therapy resets your heart’s normal rhythm patterns using electric shocks or oral IV medications. 

Surgery

If atrial fibrillation doesn't respond to other treatments, your heart specialist could recommend cardiac ablation using radiofrequency energy or extreme cold (cryoablation) to block abnormal electrical signals and restore your heart’s normal beat. Additional procedures are available too, depending on your personalized needs.

To get treated for atrial fibrillation, call the SWICFT Cardiology office or schedule an appointment online today.