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Atrial fibrillation
If you have unusual heart palpitations, shortness of breath, or persistent fatigue, it may be due to a type of heart arrhythmia known as atrial fibrillation. At Heartwise Cardiology, David Harnick, MD, and Raymonda Rastegar, MD, offer on-site diagnostic testing services for atrial fibrillation for people in and around the Murray Hill and Upper East Side neighborhoods of Manhattan, New York. The providers also offer customized solutions to regulate your heart’s rhythm and lower your risk for further complications. To schedule a diagnostic evaluation for symptoms of atrial fibrillation, call Heartwise Cardiology today or book an appointment online.
Atrial fibrillation Q & A
What is atrial fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a type of arrhythmia, a condition where your heart beats irregularly, too slowly, or too quickly.
When the chambers of your heart aren’t beating as they should, it can interfere with healthy blood flow and affect the long-term function of your heart.
Risk factors for atrial fibrillation can increase as you get older. You may also be at increased risk for AFib due to:
- Diabetes
- Heart failure
- High blood pressure
- Weight challenges
- Chronic kidney disease
- Enlargement of the heart
You may also be more likely to develop atrial fibrillation due to excessive alcohol use and smoking.
When should I seek medical care for atrial fibrillation?
To lower your risk for heart-related complications of atrial fibrillation, you should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Heartwise Cardiology if you have symptoms like:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Persistent fatigue
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
Atrial fibrillation can also cause chest discomfort or pain, which are also symptoms of a heart attack and other cardiovascular complications that require medical attention as soon as possible.
Heartwise Cardiology offers several in-office tests, including tilt table testing, electrocardiograms (EKGs), and echocardiograms to evaluate your heart health and function. You may also need bloodwork to confirm or rule out conditions like diabetes that can trigger atrial fibrillation.
Some people may benefit from wearing a Holter monitor, a device that records electrical activity in your heart for 24 hours or longer. This helps the providers identify symptoms of atrial fibrillation that only occur occasionally or during certain activities.
How is atrial fibrillation treated?
Your treatment plan for atrial fibrillation depends on the type of symptoms you’re having, how long your symptoms last, and the underlying cause of your irregular heartbeat.
Heartwise Cardiology offers several treatment options to restore your heart’s rhythm, including:
Medications
Medications can regulate your heartbeat and prevent blood clots to preserve your heart’s health.
Cardioversion therapy
If medications aren’t enough to correct atrial fibrillation, you may benefit from cardioversion therapy, a minimally invasive procedure that uses electric shocks to reset your heart rhythm.
The providers can use paddles or electrode patches to deliver the shocks into your chest without the need for surgery.
Cardiac ablation
Cardiac ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat or cold energy to create scars on heart tissue. This scarring disrupts arrhythmias and leads to the creation of new electrical pathways in the heart and a normal heartbeat.
Surgery
When other strategies aren’t working well to correct atrial fibrillation, you may need surgery to address blockages that affect blood flow to your heart. Surgery may also be necessary if you have a risk for heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular complications.
To learn more about the available treatment options for atrial fibrillation, call Heartwise Cardiology to schedule an appointment or book a consultation online today.