Doctors & patients are saying about 'A-Fib.com'...
"A-Fib.com is a great web site for patients, that is unequaled by anything else out there."
Dr. Douglas L. Packer, MD, FHRS, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
"Jill and I put you and your work in our prayers every night. What you do to help people through this [A-Fib] process is really incredible."
Jill and Steve Douglas, East Troy, WI
“I really appreciate all the information on your website as it allows me to be a better informed patient and to know what questions to ask my EP.
Faye Spencer, Boise, ID, April 2017
“I think your site has helped a lot of patients.”Dr. Hugh G. Calkins, MD Johns Hopkins,
Baltimore, MD
2018: A-Fib.com Again Earns HON Certificate for Quality and Trustworthiness of Health Information
A-Fib.com has again earned the Health On the Net Foundation (HON) Certification for quality and trustworthiness of medical and health online information. (We were first certified in 2009.)
The voluntary HONcode accreditation program sets out a standardized criterion of eight principles of good practice for health information websites. Each applicant is checked for compliance by a review committee including medical professionals.
The Health On the Net Foundation (HON) Code of Conduct helps protect citizens from misleading health information.
Our 2018-2019 Active Certification & Dynamic Seal
Our HON seal is displayed in the footer of our web page and is directly linked to the A-Fib.com HONcode certificate located on the HON website.
Read more about the A-Fib.com HON Certificate on our website. Or learn about the criterion of eight principles of good practice at Health On the Net Foundation (HON) Certification.
When visiting other health-related websites, look for the HON Code of Conduct badge to be assured of the site’s quality and trustworthiness of medical and health online information.
Summertime Fun! Shop Amazon.com & Support A-Fib.com Too!
It’s the time of year for vacations and family activities with your kids or grand-kids. When you shop for your summer events, did you know your purchases can support A-Fib.com?
How? Just shop online at Amazon.com using the A-Fib.com Amazon portal link (this link automatically credits us, you don’t have to do anything else).
Help Keep A-Fib.com Independent and Ad-Free
Your purchases generate a small commission for A-Fib.com—at no extra cost to you. We apply those proceeds toward the monthly costs of publishing this website.
Your Support is Needed and Appreciated
A-Fib.com is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our goal is to make A-Fib.com a financially self-sustaining site AND maintain our “no advertising” policy.
Many sites are funded through third-party advertising like Google ads. You’ll find none of those ads breaking up our articles or crowding our webpages. So help support A-Fib.com—use the A-Fib.com Amazon portal link every time you shop online. We appreciate your support.
Bookmark this Link—Use it every time!
A-Fib.com 2017 Top-Rated by Healthline.com For Fourth Year
We are proud to announce, for the fourth year, Atrial Fibrillation: Resources for Patients (A-Fib.com) has been named to Healthline.com’s short list of 2017 Best A-Fib Blogs. (We proudly display our 2017 Best Blogs badge in our website’s right column.)
We also extend our congratulates to our friends who also made the list: Travis Van Slooten (Living with Atrial Fibrillation) Dr. John Mandrola (Dr. John M) and Mellanie True Hills (StopAFib.org).
Visit the Healthline The 2017 Best A-Fib Blogs to review all the winners.
OUR MISSION: A-Fib.com offers hope and guidance to empower patients to find their A-Fib cure or best outcome. We are your unbiased source of well-researched information on current and emerging Atrial Fibrillation treatments.
A-Fib, Inc. Earns GuideStar Platinum Seal for Transparency and Accountability in the Non-Profit World
A-Fib Inc. has earned GuideStar’s highest rating, the GuideStar Exchange Platinum Seal, a leading symbol of transparency and accountability in the non-profit world.
In order for A-Fib, Inc. to earn the GuideStar Exchange Platinum Seal, we filled in all required and optional sections of the report pages for Bronze, Silver and Gold levels and uploaded requested and additional documents to our profile on www.guidestar.org, including our annual financial report, 990 IRS filings, corporate officers, incorporation documents, etc.
Our GuideStar seal is displayed at the bottom of every A-Fib.com page. To learn more about us, visit our A-Fib, Inc.’s GuideStar Profile.
About GuideStar USA, Inc.: GuideStar is the world’s largest source of information on nonprofit organizations and allows nonprofits to supplement the public information that is available from the IRS.
A-Fib.com: Your Independent Source of Unbiased Information
Former A-Fib patient, Paul V. O’Connell of Baltimore, MD, wrote about A-Fib.com publisher, Steve Ryan:
Reader Paul O.
“Steve’s probably the world’s best informed patient advocate when it comes to understanding atrial fibrillation and its treatment.
Most important, Steve is not owned by the AMA or Big Pharma—so he is not beholden to anyone except his readers.”
A-Fib.com is Independent and Unbiased
From our start in 2002, Steve has maintained an independent and unbiased viewpoint. To assure our integrity, A-Fib.com is deliberately not affiliated with any medical school, device manufacturer, pharmaceutical company, HMO, or medical practice.
Drug Companies Influence Most Health Websites
Did you know…the drug and medical device industries operate or influence almost every health/heart related web site on the Internet?
For example, the drug company Eli Lilly is a “partner” with WebMD (WebMD Health Corp.) which include the websites, Medscape.com, MedicineNet, eMedicine.com, eMedicineHealth, RxList, theHeart.org, and Drugs.com.
Consider for a moment how that may affect the information you read on their websites. Who can you trust?
No Affiliations at A-Fib.com
At A-Fib.com, Steve accepts no third-party advertising, does not charge for inclusion in our Directory of Doctors & Facilities and accepts no fee (cash or other kind) for a listing in Steve’s Lists of Doctors by Specialty.
Not many healthcare websites or patient education sites can make these same claims. 
A-Fib.com is your independent source of unbiased information
about Atrial Fibrillation and its resources and treatments.
Join our Mission. Support A-Fib.com.
Every donation helps. Even $1.00.
A-Fib.com Advisory Board of Electrophysiologists and Surgeons
I am deeply indebted to the following cardiac electrophysiologists and surgeons who have offered me their counsel in publishing this website, Atrial Fibrillation: Resources for Patients, A-Fib.com. When I have a tough question, I can button hole them at a medical conference, send an email, or telephone them. They have answered my questions and taken time to explain difficult concepts. In addition, I can send them a patient with a complex or difficult A-Fib case, or ask advice on behalf of an inquiring A-Fib.com reader.
While not always agreeing with all my positions, these doctors try to point me in the right direction. It is my honor to acknowledge and thank the following members of the A-Fib.com Advisory Board.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Dr. Stefano Benussi, MD, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Dr. Hugh Calkins, MD, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Dr. Phillip Cuculich, MD, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO
Dr. Shephal K. Doshi, MD, St. John’s Health Center, Pacific Heart Institute, Santa Monica, CA
Dr. R. Todd Hurst, MD, Un. of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ
Prof. Pierre Jais, MD, Hôpital Cardiologique du Haut Lévêque, Bordeaux-Pessac Cedex, France
Prof. Hans Kottkamp, MD, Hirslanden Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
Dr. Peter Kowey, MD, Lankenau Heart Institute, Wynnewood, PA
Dr. Nassir Marrouche, MD, University of Utah Hospital, (CARMA), Salt Lake City, UT
Dr. Pirooz Mofrad, MD, Washington Heart Rhythm Associates, Silver Springs, MD
Dr. Sanjiv Narayan, MD Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Dr. Andrea Natale, MD, TX Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute, St. David’s Med. Ctr, Austin, TX
Dr. Jeffrey Olgin, MD, Heart and Vascular Center, University of San Francisco, CA
Dr. Karen Phillips, MD, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
Dr. Laurent Pison, MD, Maastricht Heart+Vascular Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Dr. Vivek Reddy, MD, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York City, NY
Dr. Jeremy N. Ruskin, MD, Harvard Medical School, Mass. General Hospital, Boston, MA
Dr. Ali Sovari, MD. Cabrillo Cardiology Medical Group, Oxnard, CA
Dr. Wilber Su, MD, Banner-University Medical Center, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ
Dr. Vijay Swarup, MD, Arizona Heart Rhythm Center, Phoenix, AZ
Dr. Claudio Tondo, MD, Cardiac Arrhythmia Research Center, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
Dr. Rukshen Weerasooriya, MD, AF Ablation Clinic, Perth, Australia
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If you find any errors on this page, email us. ♥ Last updated: Saturday, June 12, 2021
About A-Fib.com & Steve S. Ryan, Publisher
A-Fib, Inc. (A-Fib.com) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the A-Fib patient’s independent source of unbiased information about Atrial Fibrillation and its resources and treatments (for more go to A-Fib, Inc profile on GuideStar).
Funding: Since its founding in 2002, A-Fib.com has been funded personally by Patti and Steve Ryan with an occasional reader donation (donations are applied toward the maintenance costs of A-Fib.com).
No Affliation and No Ads: To maintain our independence and unbiased viewpoint and integrity, A-Fib.com is deliberately not affiliated with any medical school, device manufacturer, pharmaceutical company, or medical practice. We accept no third-party advertising, do not charge for inclusion in our Directory of Doctors & Facilities and accept no fee (cash or other kind) for a listing in Steve’s Lists of Doctors by Specialty.
Our Mission: A-Fib.com offers hope and guidance to empower patients to find their A-Fib cure or best outcome. A-Fib.com is the patient’s unbiased source of well-researched information on current and emerging Atrial Fibrillation treatments.
The A-Fib.com Advisory Board
We are deeply indebted to the many cardiac electrophysiologists and surgeons who offer their counsel in publishing A-Fib.com. When I have a tough question, I can button hole them at a medical conference, send an email, or telephone them.
While not always agreeing with all my positions, these doctors try to point me in the right direction. Read more about the Members of the A-Fib.com Advisory Board.
About Steve S. Ryan, PhD
In 2002 Steve Ryan started Atrial Fibrillation: Resources for Patients, A-Fib.com, to spare others the frustration, depression and anxiety he went through to find his cure. (Read Steve’s story: Personal A-Fib story #1)
Steve at “Bank of Books” book signing in Malibu
Dr. Ryan had his first A‑Fib attack in the January 1997. After numerous failed drug therapies, two unsuccessful right atria ablations, and much frustration, he educated himself about Atrial Fibrillation through an exhaustive search of medical literature and interviews with medical experts.
Steve Ryan observing ablation by Dr. Sidney Peykar, Cardiac Arrhythmia Inst.
In April 1998 he was cured by Drs. Pierre Jaïs and Michel Haïssaguerre of the French Bordeaux group (Hôpital Cardiologique du Haut-Lévêque, France) through a relatively new procedure at the time called Focal Point Catheter Ablation (now called “pulmonary vein Isolation”).
So grateful for his cure, he pledged to help other A‑Fib patients find their cure, too. In 2002, he started Atrial Fibrillation: Resources for Patients (www.A‑Fib.com) a source of well-researched, unbiased information on current and emerging treatments, resources and medical research―all written in plain language for patients and their families.
Every month tens of thousands of A-Fib patients and their families visit A-Fib.com seeking hope and guidance. Healthcare professionals around the world refer their patients to www.A-Fib.com.
Videos: We’ve edited several short videos (3-5 min.) from Steve’s most interesting radio and TV interviews: Steve Ryan videos. Also, visit our A-Fib.com Library of instructional videos and animations.
Steve Ryan – sprint training
Dr. Steve Ryan earned a Ph.D. in Educational Communications from the Ohio State University, and for many years taught film and television courses at the college level. He “jumped the fence” in 1983 to work in broadcast television production at ABC-TV in Hollywood and later for many years at NBC-TV in Burbank.
Steve – high jump
For fun Steve trains for and runs sprint races and an occasional 5K race. He is quite the film buff and has seen every notable film ever made (well almost). He took an early retirement from NBC in 2001.
He spends much of his time researching and writing for A-Fib.com and counseling other A-Fib patients. He and his wife, Patti, live in Malibu, California, USA.
For more background information, see Steve S. Ryan, PhD at LinkedIn, Steve S. Ryan on Facebook, and www.BeatYourA-Fib.com.
Steve Ryan is ‘The A-Fib Coach’: If you have an urgent question or an important treatment decision to make, consider a one-on-one phone consultation with Steve S. Ryan, PhD. Read more about The A-Fib Coach.
About Patti J. Ryan, BFA, MS
The story goes that when Steve Ryan started planning his website for A-Fib patients (A-Fib.com), the top priority was presenting up-to-date medical and research information but in layman’s terms, not medicalese.
Patti J. Ryan
That’s where Patti Ryan enters the picture.
With a background in corporate communications, she pledged to fight tooth ‘n nail, if needed, to represent the patients’ point-of-view and drum out as much medical jargon as possible. And, yes, there were many heated “discussions.” Patti also contributes her graphics and photography savvy to both A-Fib.com and and the publishing of the book, Beat Your A-Fib: The Essential Guide to Finding Your Cure (BeatYourA-Fib.com).
Patti has earned a B.F.A. in Fine Art, a M.S. in Communications, and university certificates in business management and corporate training. Her professional experience ranges from graphic design and digital photography to corporate video production, and business management. In the past few years she has focused on creative project design and writing for the craft and home décor magazine/book publication markets.
For more background information, see Patti J Ryan at LinkedIn.
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Steve Ryan is ‘The A-Fib Coach’
Steve Ryan is ‘The A-Fib Coach’
‘Beating A-Fib One Heart at a Time’
Do you need to talk one-to-one with a well-informed patient advocate who can discuss all your available treatment options? Who will offer you unbiased, up-to-date, research-based advice?
Steve S. Ryan, PhD
Someone who will encourage you to seek your cure, not just ‘manage’ your A-Fib with meds? Someone who knows how A-Fib makes you feel?
If you answered ‘Yes’ to any of these questions, consider contacting Steve S. Ryan, ‘The A-Fib Coach‘ for a one-to-one telephone consultation. Steve is a former A-Fib patient who found his cure. He can help you find your cure too!
Steve S. Ryan, PhD, is the award-winning author of the book, Beat Your A-Fib: The Essential Guide to Finding Your Cure, an Amazon.com Top 100 Best Seller, and publisher of patient education website, Atrial Fibrillation: Resources for Patients, A-Fib.com.
Praise for ‘The A-Fib’ Coach
Tony & Jill Hall
TONY HALL, EVANSVILLE, IN: “Steve helped me clarify points in his book about A-Fib, treatment options, and also helped me identify options for medical facilities and experienced EPs.
Steve offers great advice and is quick to realize that any decision you make is a personal decision, and that it must be right for you based on your health condition, heart rhythm issue, age, tolerance for medications, etc.”
KATHARINE, VANCOUVER, B.C., CANADA: “Steve has the rare combination of in-depth knowledge and genuine kindness. He has been an invaluable and consistent support to me as I have navigated my way through various treatment options. I can wholeheartedly recommend him as an A-Fib coach; you will be most grateful to have him on your side.”
DAVID HOLZMEN, LEXINGTON, ME: “I have used the A-Fib Coach service on a number of occasions. It is extremely reassuring to have someone who knows the field inside-out take the time to really listen to you and then give helpful advice. It is also reassuring to have this service easily available.”
Paul V. O’Connell
PAUL. V. O’CONNELL, BALTIMORE, MD: “Steve’s probably the world’s best informed patient advocate when it comes to understanding atrial fibrillation and its treatment.
Most important, Steve is not owned by the AMA or Big Pharma so he is not beholden to anyone except his client—you. After my session, I was more prepared to ask the right questions of my doctors and take charge by making more informed decisions. ”
2018 update: “I still refer back to the [Beat Your A-Fib] book and my notes from our coaching session several years ago and I consider the money I spent on the book and that session to be as valuable—even today—as a visit to my cardiologist.”
JOE REITMEYER, ELMHURT, IL: “My consultation with Steve Ryan was extremely helpful. I received excellent advice for my A-Fib condition along with names of reputable doctors to use for my treatment.”
VIDEO: Steve Talks about A-Fib and Why to Seek Your Cure
In this short video, Atrial Fibrillation: A-Fib Can be Cured! Steve Ryan and host Skip E. Lowe talk about the heart in Atrial Fibrillation: how the quivering heart muscle leads to reduced blood flow to the brain and other organs, how the heart enlarges and changes (remodeling) over time, and the importance of seeking a cure and not just ‘manage’ your A-Fib with medication.
Dr. Ryan describes how his A-Fib was cured by catheter ablation in 1998. Length: 3:31 min. Click to Watch video.
More Videos Featuring Steve S. Ryan, PhD->.
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About Steve S. Ryan, PhD
About Steve S. Ryan, PhD
Steve at “Bank of Books” book signing in Malibu
In 2002 Steve Ryan started Atrial Fibrillation: Resources for Patients, A-Fib.com, to spare other the frustration, depression and anxiety he went through to find his cure.
Dr. Ryan had his first A‑Fib attack in the January 1997. After numerous failed drug therapies, two unsuccessful right atria ablations, and much frustration, he educated himself about Atrial Fibrillation through an exhaustive search of medical literature and interviews with medical experts.
In April 1998 he was cured by Drs. Pierre Jaïs and Michel Haïssaguerre of the French Bordeaux group (Hôpital Cardiologique du Haut-Lévêque, France) through a relatively new procedure at the time called Focal Point Catheter Ablation (now called “pulmonary vein Isolation”).
Steve S. Ryan observing ablation by Dr. Sidney Peykar, Cardiac Arrhythmia Inst.
So grateful for his cure, he pledged to help other A‑Fib patients find their cure, too. In 2002, he started Atrial Fibrillation: Resources for Patients (A‑Fib.com) a source of well-researched, unbiased information on current and emerging treatments, resources and medical research―all written in plain language for the patients and their families.
Every month tens of thousands of A-Fib patients and their families visit A-Fib.com seeking hope and guidance. Healthcare professionals around the world refer their patients to www.A-Fib.com.
Videos: We’ve edited several short videos (3-5 min.) from Steve’s most interesting radio and TV interviews: Steve Ryan videos. Also, visit our A-Fib.com Library of instructional videos and animations.
Steve and the high jump
Dr. Steve Ryan earned a Ph.D. in Educational Communications from the Ohio State University, and for many years taught film and television courses at the college level.
Steve – sprint training
He “jumped the fence” in 1983 to work in broadcast television production at ABC-TV in Hollywood and later for many years at NBC-TV in Burbank.
For fun Steve trains for and runs sprint races, the high jump and an occasional 5K race. He is quite the film buff and has seen every notable film ever made (well almost). He took an early retirement from NBC in 2001.
He spends much of his time researching and writing for A-Fib.com and counseling other A-Fib patients. He and his wife, Patti, live in Malibu, California, USA.
For more background information, see Steve S. Ryan, PhD at LinkedIn, Steve S. Ryan on Facebook, and www.BeatYourA-Fib.com.
A-Fib, Inc. Awarded GuideStar Platinum Seal for Transparency and Accountability in the Non-Profit World
A-Fib Inc. has earned GuideStar’s highest rating, the GuideStar Exchange Platinum Seal, a leading symbol of transparency and accountability in the non-profit world. Transparency means that anyone can find out what we have been doing, what we have achieved, and how we are doing in achieving our ultimate goals.
In order for A-Fib, Inc. to earn the GuideStar Exchange Platinum Seal, we filled in all required and options sections of the report pages for Bronze, Silver and Gold levels and uploaded requested and additional documents to our profile on www.guidestar.org, including our annual financial report, corporate officers, incorporation documents, etc.
Support A-Fib.com: If you are thinking about donating to support the work we do at A-Fib.com, we are incredibly grateful. We suggest you visit A-Fib, Inc.’s GuideStar Profile to find out what we are doing and how we are doing it.
About GuideStar USA, Inc.: GuideStar is the world’s largest source of information on nonprofit organizations. It’s the only program of its kind that encourages nonprofit transparency on a national scale and allows nonprofits to supplement the public information that is available from the IRS. The GuideStar program is free of charge and open to any-sized nonprofit.
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