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
FAQs: Understanding Atrial Fibrillation
Atrial Fibrillation patients often have loads of “Why?” and “How?” questions. Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions by patients and their families. (Click on the question to jump to the answer.)
1. Causes: “Why does so much Atrial Fibrillation come from the Pulmonary Vein openings?”
Related Question: “Why do older people get Atrial Fibrillation more than younger people?”
Related Question: “What causes Paroxysmal A-Fib to turn into Persistent (Chronic) A-Fib?”
Related Question: “A-Fib and Flutter—I have both. Does one cause the other?”
2. Hereditary: “Is my Atrial Fibrillation genetic? Will my children get A-Fib too?”
3. PSVT: “Is Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib) different from what doctors call Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia?”
4. Adrenergic/Vagal: “What is the difference between “Adrenergic” and “Vagal” Atrial Fibrillation? How can I tell if I have one or the other? Does it really matter? Does Pulmonary Vein Ablation (Isolation) work for Adrenergic and/or Vagal A-Fib?”
5. Heart Condition: “How do I know if I have an enlarged left atrium and what does it mean, if it is? What is the size of a normal left atrium?
Related Question: Fibrosis: “How can I determine or measure how much fibrosis I have? Can something non-invasive like a CT scan measure fibrosis?”
Related Question: Stiff Heart: “I’ve heard about ‘stiff heart’ or diastolic dysfunction. When you have A-Fib, do you automatically have diastolic heart failure? What exactly is diastolic dysfunction?”
6. Stem Cells: “I’ve read about stem cells research to regenerate damaged heart tissue. Could this help cure A-Fib patients?”
7. EF: “What is the heart’s ejection fraction? As an A-Fib patient, is it important to know my EF?”
8. Anesthesia: “I read that the local anesthesia my dentist uses may trigger my A-Fib. Why is that?”
9. Treatment Options: “My surgeon wants to close off my LAA during my Mini-Maze surgery. Should I agree? What’s the role of the Left Atrial Appendage?”
Related Question: “My cardiologist recommends a pacemaker. I have paroxysmal A-Fib with “pauses” at the end of an event. Will they stop if my A-Fib is cured? I am willing, but want to learn more about these pauses first.”
Related Question: “My EP won’t even try a catheter ablation. My left atrium is over 55mm and several cardioversions have failed. I am 69 years old, in permanent A-Fib for 15 years, but non-symptomatic. I exercise regularly and have met some self-imposed extreme goals. What more can I do?
10. Cure Rate: “I have paroxysmal A-Fib and would like to know your opinion on which procedure has the best cure rate.”
If you find any errors on this page, email us. Y Last updated: Saturday, June 16, 2018
