Whether you suspect you have atrial fibrillation (AFib), were recently diagnosed, or have been living with it for years, you’re not alone. You’re one of millions who are looking for ways to confirm and relieve their symptoms of this complex heart condition. WMCHealth in New York offers expertise closer to home to help you manage your AFib and stay heart healthy.
WMCHealth has advanced technology and capability to accurately diagnose and precisely treat even the most complex AFib conditions. For example, our cardiac electrophysiologists are the only ones in Westchester County that can offer you catheter ablation. This minimally invasive treatment can be an effective solution when medication falls short of alleviating your AFib symptoms.
What Is AFib?
AFib is the most common type of arrhythmia, a condition that means your heart rhythm is irregular. AFib causes the upper two chambers of your heart (atria) to quiver, leading to a rapid and irregular heartbeat.
When your AFib goes unmanaged, it increases your risk for stroke, heart failure, and other health problems. It is important to detect and treat AFib so you can avoid these health complications and lead a healthy life.
Symptoms of AFib
If your heartbeats are normal or only slightly faster than usual, you might not experience any symptoms. However, if the two lower chambers of your heart (ventricles) start pumping blood more rapidly, symptoms will become noticeable. These symptoms can include:
- Consistent fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- A rapid and irregular heartbeat
- Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting (syncope)
- Pounding or fluttering sensations in the chest (heart palpitations)
- Chest pain (This is a medical emergency. You may be having a heart attack. Call 911 immediately if you have this feeling.)
Diagnosing AFib
Getting an accurate AFib diagnosis guarantees you receive the best possible approach to managing and treating your condition. Tests to diagnose AFib include:
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- Echocardiogram (echo)
- Electrophysiology (EP) study
What Is an EP Study?
At WMCHealth, our cardiac electrophysiologists specialize in performing electrophysiology (EP) studies to determine the best treatment. An EP study of your heart allows our cardiac electrophysiologists to take a detailed look at your heart’s electrical activity.
This invasive procedure, lasting approximately two hours, is performed under sedation to ensure you experience no discomfort. During the procedure, catheters go directly into your heart to monitor electrical signals.
At WMCHealth, we aim to provide convenient care that saves you time. If your cardiac electrophysiologist determines that a catheter ablation is the best treatment option, it can be performed at the same time as your EP study.
AFib Treatment
Your treatment plan will likely start with medication. The goal of medication is to either control and stabilize your heart rhythm or to minimize your risk of developing blood clots and experiencing a stroke.
If medications do not help your AFib, you may need a procedure or surgery, such as the WATCHMAN device or catheter ablation.
WATCHMAN Device
The WATCHMAN device can be an alternative treatment for AFib for many people.
The WATCHMAN device might be a good option for you if your AFib isn’t caused by heart valve problems or you need to avoid blood thinners due to risk factors such as high blood pressure or history of a stroke, which increase the risk of major bleeding.
Catheter Ablation
WMCHealth offers the only catheter ablation procedure available in Westchester County. During this minimally invasive procedure, your cardiac electrophysiologist inserts a catheter (thin tube) into a blood vessel and guides it to your heart. The catheter delivers hot or cold energy to block the irregular electrical signals, restoring your normal heartbeat.