Atrial Fibrillation Specialist

What is atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is a condition where the atria, or upper chambers of your heart, beat irregularly or too fast. You may develop atrial fibrillation due to:

• Sleep apnea
• Viral infection
• Previous heart attack
• Congenital heart defects
• Abnormal heart valve structures

This abnormal beat interferes with blood flow into the lower chambers of your heart and may increase your risk for heart failure. Irregular movement of the blood can also cause the fluid to pool and eventually form a clot. 

This increases your risk for a clot breaking off and traveling into your brain, which can lead to a stroke and other long-term medical complications.

What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?

The irregular heartbeats associated with atrial fibrillation may not cause any noticeable symptoms and the condition may only be discovered during diagnostic testing for other issues.

If you have symptoms of atrial fibrillation, they may include:

• Fatigue
• Sweating
• Dizziness
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness and confusion

Fluttering sensations in the chest are also a common symptom of atrial fibrillation.

How is atrial fibrillation treated?

The goal of treating atrial fibrillation is to restore a normal heartbeat and protect you from long-term heart damage and stroke.

The skilled cardiologists at Premier Cardiology Consultants offer on-site diagnostic testing to confirm your condition. They customize a treatment plan to address your needs based on your existing health, your medical history, and the severity of your condition.

Initially, your Premier Cardiology Consultants specialist may recommend blood thinners or other medications to treat atrial fibrillation. 

If these treatments aren’t enough to control your heartbeat, you may benefit from nonsurgical treatments, like electrical cardioversion, which uses electrical shocks to reset your heart’s rhythm.

Surgical procedures for atrial fibrillation may involve the placement of a pacemaker to control your heartbeat. 

Your Premier Cardiology Consultants doctor may also recommend an atrial fibrillation ablation, a minimally invasive procedure to destroy heart tissue that’s causing your irregular heartbeat. 

The team also offers WATCHMAN technology to reduce stroke risk if you have atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem. WATCHMAN is a permanent implant that closes off a part of the heart where blood clots commonly form.

If you’re experiencing an irregular heartbeat or fluttering in your chest, don’t delay an evaluation. Call Premier Cardiology Consultants today to learn more about atrial fibrillation. You can also request an appointment using the online booking feature.