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CARDIOLOGY & CARDIAC SURGERY SERVICES

Diagnosis & Treatment

Atrial Fibrillation

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How is Atrial Fibrillation Diagnosed?

Diagnosis

Atrial fibrillation diagnosis begins with a history and physical exam, during which your doctor will likely run some tests. The results of these tests are used to make an AFib diagnosis.

The primary diagnostic test for AFib is an electrocardiogram (EKG), which details patterns in heart rhythms. This is a simple and painless procedure performed in your doctor’s office.

Tests used for the diagnosis and workup of atrial fibrillation include:

  • Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is usually the first test performed. EKG is painless and is completed in about three minutes. During the test, the heart’s electrical signals are measured and recorded. This data allows doctors to see if the heart is beating normally.
  • Blood tests show imbalances in the blood, which can cause AFib. Electrolyte and thyroid hormone levels outside of the normal range can contribute to the development of atrial fibrillation, and blood tests will allow doctors to see if these conditions are present. Blood tests can also be used to monitor kidney and liver function in response to AFib medications

How is Atrial Fibrillation Treated?

Treatment

The main goals of AFib treatment include controlling symptoms, avoiding blood clots, and reducing stroke risk. AFib is frequently treated with medication. Combined ablation and LAA closure is rapidly becoming a first-line treatment for AFib. Other treatment options include many procedures and will vary depending on the type and severity of the atrial fibrillation. Surgery is rare.

Available options for atrial fibrillation treatment include:

Medications

  • Rate control medications. These medications prevent the ventricles from beating too fast.
  • Rhythm control medications. These medications help the heart beat in regular sinus rhythm.
  • Blood thinners (anticoagulants). These medications reduce the risk of blood clots developing, which reduces the risk of stroke.

Procedures

  • Electrical cardioversion uses electrical impulses to “reset” the heart rhythm
  • Atrial fibrillation catheter ablation electrically silences the triggers of AFib and atrial tissue that sustains AFib
  • A permanent pacemaker can help if the patient has slow heartbeats that complicate the management of fast heartbeats from AFib
  • Left atrial appendage closure can effectively reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke in patients with issues with taking a blood thinner

Surgical Options

  • Endoscopic surgical ablation can be effective for select patients with atrial fibrillation

FAQs

FAQs

Yes. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a type of heart arrhythmia. It is an irregular and often very fast heart rhythm. AFib can lead to blood clots in the heart, increasing the risk of stroke and other heart complications.

The exact cause of causes of AFib are unclear, but it is known that stress can contribute to heart rhythm disorders such as atrial fibrillation. More research is needed to understand the exact connection between anxiety and AFib. It is important to note that many common symptoms of AFib resemble symptoms that characterize panic attacks.

Yes--AFib can lead to serious medical complications and increase risk factors for heart disease and other issues. Stroke is the most serious of these conditions.

You can drive safely with most types of AFib. The exception to this rule is when episodes of AFib cause a person to be dizzy or faint. When this is the case, patients may need to stop driving if they cannot work with their doctors to develop a driving plan.

Yes. Regular exercise can help to keep AFib in check. Patients with AFib who are the fittest have been found to have the fewest AFib episodes. By contrast, people with the lowest fitness levels have been found to have more frequent episodes of AFib.

Over time, AFib can become worse. Episodes of AFib can happen more frequently and can last longer. It is not uncommon for patients to progress from less frequent to more frequent AFib diagnoses over time.

Get Care

Trust NewYork-Presbyterian for Atrial Fibrillation Treatment

Should you experience any symptoms of atrial fibrillation, NewYork-Presbyterian’s team of arrhythmia specialists, including cardiologists, heart surgeons, and other specialists with expertise in the field of irregular heartbeat, are ready for you to schedule your appointment.

NewYork-Presbyterian’s specialist team offers you personalized plans that help you truly understand your symptoms and the best treatments to mitigate them.