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Baltimore, MD
My Top 5 Picks: Intro A-Fib Videos for the Newly Diagnosed
The A-Fib.com Video Library is for those readers who learn visually through motion graphics, audio, personal interviews and animations.
These are my top 5 picks of basic videos for the newly diagnosed patient or anyone who wants to better understand Atrial Fibrillation. Great for the A-Fib patient’s family, friends and co-workers.
1. Introduction to How a Normal Heart Pumps Blood
A short video about the path of a red blood cell through the heart’s four chambers to deliver oxygen to the body and then return to be re-oxygenated. Animation with narration.
(Don’t worry about remembering the terminology, just follow the flow of the red blood cell). Published by The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. (1:00 min.)
2. Stroke Prevention in A-Fib and Anticoagulant Therapy
Through interviews and animations explains how atrial fibrillation can cause stroke and why anticoagulation is so important; Discussion of: warfarin (Coumadin), the required monitoring, interactions with food, alcohol and other drugs: newer anticoagulants (NOACs) that do not require regular testing, aren’t affected by foods [but are expensive]. The need for anticoagulation is an important decision to be made with your doctor. On-camera interviews with AF Association CEO, Trudie Lobban MBE and other experts (5:36) Developed in association with the drug maker, Boehringer Ingelheim.
3. The EKG Signal and Conduction System of the Heart
Excellent illustration of the heart and a fully labeled graphic of the ‘Conduction System of the Heart’. Descriptive text accompanies each step in the animation. Step 2 animates a normally beating heart and shows the electrical signal path. Along side is the corresponding EKG tracing (signal) in perfect sync. The 3rd step shows the same heart but this time in Atrial Fibrillation. Along side is the EKG tracing of the heart in A-Fib with the EKG of a normal heart below it. From the American Heart Association website.
4. About Magnesium Deficiency with Dr. Carolyn Dean
C. Dean, MD
Most A-Fib patients are deficient in Magnesium. “The Best Way to Supplement Magnesium” with Dr. Carolyn Dean, the author of The Magnesium Miracle. Getting nutrients through food is not always possible; discusses side effects of too much and how you can tell if you have a deficiency. (3:39). See also: “Importance of Balancing Calcium & Magnesium“: Why you need to have both in the body; the problem of ‘calcium overload’. (1:00)
5. When Drug Therapy Fails: Why Patients Consider Catheter Ablation
Dr. Susan M. Sharma discusses why patients with atrial fibrillation turn to ablation when drug therapy doesn’t work. Dr. Sharma presents research findings about the success rate of catherter ablation. Includes transcript of the narration. (3:00 min.) From Insidermedicine.com.
Disclaimer: Videos provided for your convenience only; we make no endorsement of a specific treatment, physician or medical facility.
Visit our A-Fib.com Video Library
for more introductory-level videos
Steve Ryan Videos:
We’ve edited Steve’s most interesting radio and TV interviews to create several short (3-5 min.) videos. Check out Videos Featuring Steve S. Ryan, PhD, publisher of A-Fib.com.
