Autumn Years Summer 2024

HEALTH & WELFARE

What Is Atrial Fibrillation and How Is It Treated? By Suneet Mittal, MD

Atrial fibrillation (AFib)—the most common type of abnormal heart rhythm, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—occurs when the heart beats too slowly, too fast or in an irregular way. AFib may occur in short episodes or may become a permanent condition. The condition is not usually life-threatening on its own; however, if left untreated, AFib can cause serious com plications. In people with AFib, the heart’s upper chambers quiver instead of beat effectively. This can cause blood to pool and clot, potentially leading to a stroke. Normally, the heart contracts and relaxes in a coordinated rhythm. Additional complications can include increased risk of congestive heart failure and chronic fatigue.

• Chest pain • Confusion • Fatigue • Lightheadedness • Shortness of breath • Unexplained falls or fainting • Weakness If you think you are experiencing AFib, seek urgent medical care. You or a loved one should call for emergency medical help if you experience chest pain, which may be a sign of a heart at tack. A doctor can assess your condition and, should you display symptoms of AFib, refer you to an electrophysiologist who specializes in diagnosing and treat ing heart arrhythmias. When seeking ur gent medical care, an electrophysiology study may be done to record electrical activity of your heart and determine the cause of heart rhythm disturbance. Restoring the right rhythm Treatments for AFib restore or reset the heart’s rhythm so your heart can pump blood effectively. An electrophysiologist can determine the best course of treat ment for you, which may include one or more of the following options:

• Lifestyle modifications to reduce risk factors—a heart-healthy, low-sodium diet; exercise; smoking cessation; avoid ing alcohol • Medications to slow down the rapid heart rate associated with AFib and/or prevent clotting • Electrical cardioversion uses a machine and sensors (electrodes) to deliver quick, low-energy shocks to the chest to restore normal heart rhythm • Radiofrequency ablation, a minimally invasive procedure that delivers a burst of radiofrequency energy through a thin, flexible tube inserted in a blood vessel; the treatment destroys tissue that triggers abnormal electrical signals • Surgery can be performed to disrupt electrical pathways that cause AFib • Atrial pacemakers may be implanted to regulate the heart’s rhythm Treatment using the latest technology Our team at Valley’s Snyder Center for Comprehensive Atrial Fibrillation, as leaders in AFib care, has access to the latest devices and procedures not avail able at many other hospitals. One such treatment recently adopted by our team

Are you at risk? AFib is a growing cardiac concern world wide, and we are seeing more patients coming in looking for treatment. Accord ing to the American Heart Association, more than 12 million Americans are ex pected to develop AFib by the end of the decade. The following factors increase your risk for AFib: • Age (risk increases with age) • Alcohol consumption (for some people drinking alcohol can trigger AFib) • Chronic conditions such as thyroid problems, sleep apnea and other medical conditions

• Family history of AFib • High blood pressure

• Medical history of heart disease, heart attack, heart surgery or valve problems

What are the symptoms of AFib? Episodes of AFib may come and go in a matter of hours, or symptoms may persist for longer periods until treated. Palpitations—the sensation of a racing, fluttering or irregular heartbeat—are the most recognizable symptom of this condition. Other symptoms include:

16 AUTUMN YEARS I SUMMER 2024