Catheter ablation: Cryoablation vs Radiofrequency
Catheter ablation is a treatment to stop the irregular and chaotic heart rhythm of atrial fibrillation (AFib). During an AFib ablation, heat (radiofrequency) or cold (cryoablation) energy is delivered to the heart tissue to create areas of scar that interrupt the abnormal electrical pathways that cause the atrial arrhythmia. Radiofrequency (RF) ablation for AFib was […]
Anticoagulation in Atrial Fibrillation: Risks and Benefits
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) affects more than 3 million Americans and is the most common abnormal heart rhythm. AFib increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, death and can significantly impact the quality of life. In addition to treating the abnormal heart rhythm, treatment of atrial fibrillation involves stroke prevention. After atrial fibrillation is diagnosed the […]
Can Losing Weight Stop Heart Palpitations?
There is an epidemic of obesity in the United States. As of 2018, more than 2 in 5 (42.4%) adults were obese. Obesity doubles the risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AFib). The epidemic of obesity is projected to worsen over the coming decades. As more people experience weight gain and become obese, we can expect […]
How Do You Calm Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) can have a significant negative impact on quality of life. Not everyone with atrial fibrillation has symptoms but for those who do the symptoms can be very pronounced and can interfere with their ability to do normal daily activities. Many people with AFib symptoms can precisely report AFib episode length and if […]
10 Tips to Prepare for a Maze Procedure
A maze procedure is a highly effective surgical ablation used to treat atrial fibrillation. The procedure can be performed via a minimally-invasive approach or during an open-heart surgery that is being done to treat another heart condition. If you have atrial fibrillation and have been referred for a maze procedure, proper preparation can improve surgical […]
How Does A CPAP Machine Help AFib?
What Is A CPAP Machine? Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea. A CPAP machine delivers pressurized air through a hose that attaches to the nose. CPAP treatment for sleep apnea can help restore the natural breath cycle so you can sleep well and wake up feeling refreshed. […]
How is Losing Weight Interrelated to Atrial Fibrillation?
There are epidemics of atrial fibrillation (AFib) and obesity in the United States. AFib is the most common clinically significant arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm). It is estimated to affect over 5.2 million people in the United States and is predicted to affect 12.1 million by 2030. In 2013, 38% of adult Americans were obese (defined […]
Exercise and AFib: Is It Possible?
Is Exercise Good for AFib? Exercise is an important component of a healthy lifestyle and overall heart health. If you have atrial fibrillation, exercise is especially vital. In fact, research shows that regular exercise can help decrease the frequency of atrial fibrillation (AFib) episodes and improve AFib-related symptoms and quality of life. However, a common […]
New Heart Procedure for Atrial Fibrillation
What is Surgical Ablation? A cardiac ablation for atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a procedure that treats atrial fibrillation by creating areas of scar tissue in the heart’s upper chambers. This heart procedure for AFib can be completed via catheter ablation or surgical ablation. Atrial fibrillation surgery is called a maze procedure. This surgical treatment for […]
How Long Does Ablation Recovery Take?
Maureen is an active, 67-year-old with atrial fibrillation. Once every couple of months she develops an episode of shortness of breath, fatigue, and the sensation of an abnormal heartbeat. She has tried medications to treat atrial fibrillation (AFib) but these haven’t worked. She is considering atrial fibrillation surgery but is worried about the AFib ablation […]
