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
Why You Need an A-Fib Notebook and 3-Ring Binder (and a Patient Portal?)
As you search for your Atrial Fibrillation cure, you will want to organize the research and medical treatment information you are collecting. Start with a notebook and a three-ring binder or a file folder.
What to Include in Your A-Fib Binder
Your A-Fib binder is where you should file and organize all your A-Fib-related treatment information, such as:
• contact list of all health care providers and facilities
• lab test results, EKG strips and other medical records
• office visit notes and phone calls
• list of all medications
• health insurance claims and records
• records of any major medical event from the past two years
• completed worksheets and blanks ready for use
• research from the internet or medical center library
Our available free worksheets: 10 Questions to Ask Before Taking Any Drug; 10 Questions to Ask When Interviewing Any Cardiologist; Keep an Inventory List of Your Medications
Make Medical Record-Keeping a Habit
Make Medical Record-Keeping a Habit
We strongly encourage you to get in the habit of keeping a copy of every test result you get in your three-ring binder. Don’t leave your doctor’s office, medical center or hospital without a copy of every test or procedure they perform.
If the test result isn’t immediately available, have them email you a copy. (For another option, see my comment below about using Patient Portals.)
If you are missing some records, read our article, How to Request Copies of your Medical Records. We give you three ways to request your medical records from your doctors and medical providers.
Does Your Healthcare Provider Offer a Patient Portal?
A patient portal is a secure website that gives you direct access to your medical information, including lab and procedure results, immunizations, prescribed medications, doctor visit summaries and upcoming scheduled appointments. (You can download lab results and imaging reports, etc. to your laptop or send to yourself via e-mail.)If you’re not yet connected, it’s easy to sign up. Just ask your healthcare provider.
Add Your Personal A-Fib Summary
Doctors appreciate knowledgeable, informed, and prepared patients. Each doctor will probably ask you many of the same questions, such as:
• What particular symptoms are bothering you?
• When did you first begin to experience these symptoms?
• Are these symptoms occasional or intermittent or persistent?
• Is there anything that appears to worsen or lessen your symptoms?
For efficiency, prepare your Personal A-Fib Medical Summary (see How to Create Your Personal A-Fib Medical Summary) and include a copy with each packet of medical records you send to doctors. Store the original and copies in your binder.
Prepare a Packet for Each New Doctor
When consulting a new doctor (or interviewing a prospective one), create a packet of your medical records including test results and any applicable images/X-rays.
Your A-Fib Binder holds all the information you will need.
Consider sending your packet ahead of time. (But bring an extra copy with you. Don’t be surprised if some doctors didn’t have time to read it beforehand.)
Remember: Keep Your A-Fib Binder Up-to-Date
After each doctor visit, add your handwritten notes from your notebook, such as changes or additions of prescription medications or supplements and copies of any tests, referrals to other medical professionals, etc. Also, update your ‘Personal A-Fib Medical Summary’ when necessary.
Your A-Fib Binder is a Valuable Resource.
It will help you find your A-Fib cure!
VIDEO: Pulse Field Ablation Explained: Is New A-Fib Procedure Safer? With Dr Yasser Rodriguez
This video is hosted by Dr. Yasser Rodriguez, a Harvard trained Electrophysiologist. He discusses the newest Atrial Fibrillation catheter ablation technology, Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA), a promising advancement in Atrial Fibrillation treatment. He contrasts PFA with radiofrequency and cryoablation and dives into the medical technology behind this approach. He discusses trials data and safety issues, then concludes with the four questions you should ask your doctor about PFA. Go to video->
We appreciate how Dr. Rodriguez supports all his statements with the relevant research studies (shown on screen so you can check them yourself if interested). This is the same approach we take at A-Fib.com (We always include our research resources at the end of every article we publish.) Go to video->
Published in 2026 by Harvard-trained Cardiac Electrophysiologist, Dr Yasser Rodriguez, MD, MBA, FACC, FHRS. 12:05 min. Check out his other great A-Fib videos on his YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@FightAFib, and visit his website, too at fightafib.com.
We’re seeing rapid, widespread adoption of PFA first in Europe and now in the US and worldwide. It’s amazing to see how fast and effective PFA appears for treating Atrial Fibrillation. The data show that PFA, in general, is safe and effective.
For an in-depth discussion of Pulsed Field Ablation, go to our page: Pulsed Field Ablation—Groundbreaking Innovation in Atrial Fibrillation!
You Can Help Shape the Future of Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) A-Fib Resources
Mellanie True Hills, from StopAfib.org forwarded a request from The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) about a short survey they are conducting. They are asking A-Fib patients and family members/caregivers to participate in a survey to help shape their A-Fib patient education resources.
We encourage you to participate as feedback from patients and their families helps professional organizations like The Heart Rhythm Society design the patient services on their website to better serve the A-Fib community. Please share your thoughts by September 15.
Below is their invitation to participate.
Whether you’re living with atrial fibrillation (afib), caring for someone who is, or simply want to understand it better — your perspective matters to us.
The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), the world’s leading organization of heart rhythm specialists, is building better afib resources to help patients and care teams connect more effectively. To get them right, we want to hear from the people closest to the experience.
Here’s the quick version:
• 5 minutes — that’s all it takes.
• 100% anonymous — no identifying information is collected.
• Real impact — your input shapes how care teams explain afib, make decisions alongside patients, and support the people around them.
Please share your thoughts by September 15 — every response makes these resources stronger.
Want to do more? HRS is also hosting compensated, small-group interviews to dive deeper into what afib patients need. Join the participant pool if you’d like to take part.
With gratitude,
The Heart Rhythm Society
HRSonline.org
Our A-Fib.com Resources & Links for Atrial Fibrillation Patients
You don’t have to go far to find Resources for A-Fib patients and their families. Just visit our curated Resources & Links. (We evaluate hundreds of online sites to create these lists.) We value the information these sites offer or share. Our selection of online websites may be useful as you continue your education and expand your knowledge of Atrial Fibrillation.
Our Resources and Links are organized by category:
♥ Recommended Online Links
♥ A-Fib.com Library of Videos and Animations
♥ Recommended Books and Reports
♥ Steve’s Shopping Guides to Select A-Fib-Related Products
♥ Online A-Fib Discussion Group
♥ 2026 Free Offers/Downloads
We recommend you spend some time browsing the various categories. We bet you will find some helpful resources. (If you have some favorites that we’ve missed, we invite you to send us your recommendations. Use our Contact Us form to let us know your favorites.)
Go to our Resources & Links for Atrial Fibrillation Patients
A word to the wise…
National A-Fib Awareness Month—Video & Free Report For Families: Top 10 Q&A About Atrial Fibrillation
September is National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month. It’s dedicated to increasing public understanding of this common heart rhythm disorder.
A-Fib not only impacts the patient’s health and quality of life but also the lives (and often livelihood) of their loved ones and co-workers.
Have you thought about your family and what questions they may have about your Atrial Fibrillation? Here are two ideas for helping your loved ones understand your condition and how it makes you feel.
Free Report: Answers to the ‘Top 10 Questions Families Ask About Atrial Fibrillation’
When a patient is diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation, family members often struggle to understand what their loved one is going through. A-Fib can be a life altering disease―yet people with A-Fib often don’t look sick.
Since 2002, we’ve fielded hundreds of questions from patients and answered the most common ones on our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) pages.
We compiled the answers to the ten most often asked questions by families into a special Free Report: The Top 10 Questions Families Ask About Atrial Fibrillation.
Free Special Report from A-Fib.com
Download the 5-page .PDF Report : The Top 10 Questions Families Ask About A-Fib. Print, or keep a copy by saving the PDF to your hard drive.
Back to FREE Offers and Downloads
Video: Understanding Atrial Fibrillation
Watch a video together to help your family and friends understand your A-Fib and how it affects you. This entry-level video, covers what the common heart condition is, its symptoms, its complications, and how it can be diagnosed and managed.
Title: What is Atrial Fibrillation? Produced by HealthSketch. 5:13 min. Posted on YouTube on Jan 30, 2024.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
00:19 How the heart works
00:45 Atrial Fibrillation
01:35 Symptoms and Complications
02:35 Diagnosis
03:21 Treatment and management
Back to A-Fib Videos and Animations Library
Back-to-School? Shop Amazon.com & Support A-Fib.com Too!
Are you shopping for kids or grand-kids heading back to school? Did you know your purchases can help support A-Fib.com?
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.
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 web pages.
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.
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!
Is There a Pulsed Field Ablation in Your Future? Groundbreaking Innovation in Atrial Fibrillation!
One of the most important, groundbreaking innovations in Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib) treatment is Pulsed Field Ablation. PFA is widely approved and used in Europe beginning in 2021.
In the U.S., the FDA approved the first Pulsed Field Ablation system in January 2024. There are now five FDA-approved Pulsed Field Ablation systems: Boston Scientific’s Farapulse, Medtronic’s Affera, Medtronic’s Pulse Select, Johnson & Johnson’s Varipulse, and Abbott’s Volt.
What Makes Pulsed Field Ablation Different
Preceding Pulsed Field Ablation, the two main energy systems for catheter ablation were thermal, i.e., radiofrequency (RF) (heat) and Cryo (freezing).
Pulsed Field Ablation instead uses a fundamentally different process called “Irreversible Electroporation”.
During Irreversible Electroporation, an instantaneous electrical field is applied to targeted cells which open up tiny doors (nanopores). Shortly thereafter, the contents of the cell exit through these doors, and the cell dies. The cell is rendered electrically inactive.
Unlike ablated tissue using RF and Cryo thermal energy, PFA retains the cell’s original structure even after cell death. Because it doesn’t rely on thermal effects, there is no charring or crust formation. ->Continue reading about Pulsed Field Ablation->
Searching for the Right Doctor: Trusted Online Resources
For Atrial Fibrillation patients, independent, unbiased assessment of medical care is more important today than ever. Don’t be fooled! Anyone can draw up a “best of” referral list, and many organizations do.
Drug companies favor those doctors who are high prescribers of their drugs. Many health insurance companies pay more attention to what a physician’s fees are rather than the quality of their care. Also. beware, doctors can pay publications/websites recommending healthcare providers to get their names mentioned or sorted to the top of your search results.
Consumer Ratings of Doctors May be Just as Flawed
Consumer Ratings of Doctors May be Just as FlawedSome people believe that online patient ratings are the best source of information on doctors.
Unfortunately, that is a misguided assumption. Patients may be able to rate a doctor’s “bedside manner,” but they know little about the complexity of medical care.
The Search for the Right Cardiac Electrophysiologist
Since Atrial Fibrillation is an electrical problem, you should see a Cardiac Electrophysiologist (EP)—a cardiologist who specializes in the electrical activity of the heart and in the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disorders.
Note: If considering catheter ablation, know that not all EPs perform ablations. For example; some focus on pacing/pacemakers, or clinical research, etc.
One Site We Trust: Castle Connolly Top Doctors
When you browse our curated A-Fib.com Directory of Doctors and Medical Centers, you will find we highlight those doctors that have received special recognition as a Castle Connolly Top Doctor.
Unlike other ‘find a doctor services’, Castle Connolly only features the top 7% of doctors in the U.S. No one can pay to be a Castle Connolly Top Doctor. Each provider has been hand selected.
These Top Doctors are first peer-nominated by surveying tens of thousands of practicing clinicians across the U.S. Then the research team, guided by the Castle Connolly Advisory Board, screens each provider and confirms whether each meets Castle Connolly standards. (Continue reading to learn about the screening criteria.) The results are truly the country’s Top Doctors. (Unfortunately, this service only covers U.S. doctors.)
Searching Castle Connolly: Also Top Rated Hospitals, Practices and Other Categories
You begin by entering your location, then selecting a medical specialty. For Atrial Fibrillation patients that would be ‘cardiac electrophysiology’. Your search can include distance and offerings such as online booking and telemedicine offerings.
Top Hospitals and Practices are also listed (as well as Top Dentists). You can also sort by who accepts your medical insurance.
There are also a number of distinctions available to help narrow your search for the right provider for you. Among other distinctions, listings include top Black Doctors, Exceptional Women in Medicine, Top AAPI Doctors, Top LGBTQ+ Doctors, and Top Hispanic and Latino Doctors.
Another Resource: Heart Rhythm Society’s Find a Specialist
This site is the professional organization for cardiologists. It is a membership directory.
Use their ‘Find a Specialist” search feature to select Primary Specialty (Clinical Electrophysiology), then Clinical Expertise (Atrial Fibrillation), and by location.
You can also sort for members who are ‘Fellows of the Heart Rhythm Society’ (FHRS), a designation characterized by advanced training, certification and/or prominence in research.
Look for additional information such as which medical insurance they accept.
The information in the directory is maintained by individual physicians.
For Guidance, See Our Page ‘Finding the Right Doctor for You’
Choosing your doctor is an important step in finding your A-Fib cure. For guidance, see our page: Finding the Right Doctor for You.
We’ll walk you through all the important steps. How to start your search, how to find the needed information, and how to organize your research information.
We then take you through how to set up consulting appointments, how to take notes during your office visit, and then later how to interpret the doctor’s answers, i.e., what it all means. The result? A short list of specific, qualified doctors for your type of A-Fib and your treatment goals.
If you need additional support, see our curated lists of Cardiac Electrophysiologists who treat Atrial Fibrillation patients: A-Fib.com Directory of Doctors and Medical Centers.
At A-Fib.com, we accept no fee, benefit or value of any kind to be listed in our curated Directory of Doctors and Medical Centers. A-Fib.com is not affiliated with any practice, medical center or physician.
Who can you trust? Who is posting this A-Fib info? A drug company? A doctor or medical practice? A device manufacturer?
New! 2 Free Worksheets: Doctor’s Visit Prep and Medication Inventory List
Free Offers & Downloads: As a service to Atrial Fibrillation patients, we offer FREE downloads of our own worksheets and special reports as well as useful FREE services or downloads from others serving the atrial fibrillation community. Click to visit the page to access all our FREE stuff.
Doctor’s Visit Prep Worksheet
I’m especially pleased to find this worksheet as I have long felt the need for patients to carry in a list of topics to discuss with their doctors.
For A-Fib patients, we encourage everyone to take notes during their appointments in a designated “A-Fib Notepad“. This prep worksheet helps you identify and list goals before your visit!
Doctor’s visits can be stressful, especially when you have a list of concerns or questions and want to make sure you don’t forget them.
This Doctor’s Visit Prep worksheet from SingleCare.com encourages you to organize your thoughts, questions, and symptoms before hand. It helps to make the best use of your and your doctor’s time for a productive, efficient office visit. Download this free .PDF worksheet. Keep several copies in your A-Fib binder or folder.
Keep an Inventory List of Your Medications
During office visits, your doctor or other medical healthcare providers often ask you to verify or update your medication list.
This FREE form from wordtemplatesonline.net helps you keep an up-to-date inventory of your medications. And because they may interact, you should also list over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and mineral supplements, too.
Download the Medication Inventory List worksheet and remember to save to your hard-drive.
Because your medications can change over time, print several copies of the blank form so you will always have a clean copy ready to use. (Keep with your A-Fib binder or folder.)
Be Ready for a Medical Emergency: Carry a copy of your medication inventory in your wallet as part of your Portable Medical Information ‘Kit’.
What medical information should you carry with you? To learn what and how to carrying your information, see our article, Your Portable Medical Information Kit.
Which Comorbid Risks Do You Have That Make Your A-Fib More Severe? And What To Do
Most A-Fib patients have at least one concurrent medical condition, i.e., comorbidity, that makes Atrial Fibrillation symptoms more severe and makes treating A-Fib more difficult with increased risk of complications. They can also affect the longevity of a treatment such as a catheter ablation.
Concurrent Medical Conditions
Concurrent conditions, or comorbidities, are risk factors that can interfere with the biological mechanisms or processes (pathogenesis) of your A-Fib. The leading concurrent conditions affecting Atrial Fibrillation patients are:
• Obstructive Sleep Apnea
• Diabetes
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Heat Failure
• Air pollution
• Respiratory Disease
• Chronic Kidney Disease
• Mental health disorders
Comorbidities and the Impact on Your Atrial Fibrillation
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): At least 43% of patients with Atrial Fibrillation also suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea. …->Continue reading about each of the concurrent conditions on our list and the risks for Atrial Fibrillations and learn what to do…->Go to read my full article.
Editorial: Caution—YouTube AI Doctors are Presenting Themselves as Real Cardiologists
By Patti J. Ryan
A few weeks ago, I started noticing that some of the YouTube videos I was watching for pleasure, seemed “odd”. For example, one young woman standing in her kitchen giving DIY advice had an unusually quiet kitchen. No ambient sounds at all. You could see open windows behind her, but not rustling wind, no birds chirping, no electrical appliance humming. Nothing. Then, she had perfect delivery, no hesitation, no stumbled words, no pauses.
So, I suspected I was watching an AI-generated actress. That didn’t seem so bad. Just a cheap way for video producers to make videos.
Investigating AI Videos
I did start investigating the legal aspects of passing AI-generated videos off as the real thing. I was worried about the political misuse of video on Facebook, TikTok, etc. to manipulate public opinion and hate crimes.
I read about faked videos claiming to be human atrocities associated with a real war time event. I learned, that in Europe they have just passed AI production standards that require revealing this type of manipulation.
So, I hoped in the U.S. we would do the same.
Coming Head-to-Head with AI-Generated Doctors
While researching A-Fib related YouTube videos I found a disturbing trend. I found several Artificial Intelligence-generated “doctors” presenting Atrial Fibrillation information—passing themselves off as real doctors.
The most obvious case is the video from Pensión 65+TV, with an AI doctor claiming to be a cardiologist with 32 years experience. He could not pronounce “AFIB”. Instead he spelled it out as “F-I-B”. Every time. He spelled it out.
Searching down the page I did find this under the Disclosure information:
“AI may be used for presentation purposes only and is not intended to mislead viewers. The educational information is created and reviewed using reliable medical sources.”
What shocked me the most was that there were 541 subscribers to this channel. That’s 541 viewers who are watching a fake AI-generated doctor who’s claiming to have 32 years experience!
Discovering AI Enhanced or Generated Videos
My odyssey all began when I found and commented on a video posted by a “Eric Bennett MD” entitled, 6 AFib Lifestyle Rules Your Doctor Never Told You. I left a comment. When I returned to the link less than a week later, I found the video had been removed.
I did notice other videos from “Eric Bennett MD“ had the same very small AI symbol under the video title and above the channel name (as did all the videos I discuss here.) I was curious if the video was still available elsewhere.
I went to Google and searched the title, and this is what I found:
Let me start with the first video listed. I know that the first doctor listed is a real cardiologist. I had already checked him out, his website, and had exchanged emails with him about one of his videos.
I can tell it’s definitely him appearing on-camera, but AI-enhanced to some degree, as acknowledged by 
the AI symbol underneath the video title and the Disclosure statement “How this was made”. Only a few of his early videos were made with the assistance of Ai. I assume this was to reduce production costs and for efficiency. In response to my email, Dr. Yasser Rodriguez wrote me that he only used AI a few times and didn’t like it. He feels a better connection with his audience using his current production techniques.
Dr. Rodriguez has produced many pertinent A-Fib videos on YouTube. All his content is solid, well researched, with the medical research studies to back up his statements (inserting images of the research study documents on-screen and titles of the sources).
But the Others Listed…
If you notice the posting dates, the other AI doctors came 2 months after the legitimate doctor posted his video.
All YouTube videos did include the tiny AI symbol under the title and the YouTube Disclosure statement “How this was made”.
But you had to LOOK for the evidence of AI creation. On the DR. Miles Ebek channel page, for example, notice first that the name of the channel is DR. MILES and how “he” doesn’t claim to be a doctor, but a “destination” (the emphasis is mine).
Description
Welcome to DR. MILES — your trusted destination for powerful health education, wellness insights, medical awareness, and life-changing wellness tips designed to help you live smarter, healthier, and longer.
Then further down the description you will find the Disclaimer:
The content on this channel is created for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Some visuals and voice representations may be enhanced or generated using AI technology. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical concerns.
Harvesting Content Created by Others
Crafty, how they can deceive the viewers, working just inside the current legal requirements of YouTube.
I can only assume someone out there is harvesting well-researched presentations and using the content to write their own scripts to make these fake doctor videos.
I have not researched if these AI fake doctors are showing up on Facebook or TikTok videos, etc.
A Heart-Felt Warning: You Can No Longer Trust Your Eyes or Ears
Be afraid. I am! In this age of social media, be on the alert for AI-generated videos (and audio).
Especially if they are designed to scare you, make you angry or compel you to rush to conclusions about others or controversial causes. You can no longer trust your eyes and ears.
Patti J. Ryan supports all aspects of A-Fib.com—ever watchful of too much medical jargon and when necessary translates the terminology into everyday language. She is also publisher of Beat Your A-Fib: The Essential Guide to Finding Your Cure by Steve S. Ryan, PhD (BeatYourA-Fib.com), an Amazon.com Top 100 Seller.
