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
Which Lifestyle Choices Make Your A-Fib More Severe? What You Can Do
Most A-Fib patients have one or more lifestyle factor risk that makes A-Fib symptoms more severe and makes treating A-Fib more difficult with increased risk of complications.
Modifying lifestyle factors can have an enormous impact on the severity of your A-Fib symptoms, reduce the frequency of A-Fib episodes, or even eliminate it entirely.
Lifestyle factors can also affect the longevity of a treatment such as a catheter ablation. Lifestyle factors that can affect your A-Fib include:
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Drug Abuse
• Excess alcohol use
• Lack of exercise
• Poor nutrition
Changing Lifestyle Factors and the Impact on Your Atrial Fibrillation
Multiple research studies have shown that modifying these lifestyle factors risks can…
Continue reading->…to learn more and what you can do to modify your lifestyle factors to lessen your A-Fib symptoms and even reverse your Atrial Fibrillation.-> Go to my full article.
Smartphones: Emergency Medical ID Info Access, No Passcode Required
Early cell phone users were able to list critical medical condition information (such as Atrial Fibrillation) as an “In Case of Emergency” (ICE) contact in their Contacts folder. But today’s smartphones are passcode protected. So, is there a work around for today’s smartphones? Yes!
Smartphone Can Still Offer Emergency Medical ID
In an emergency—if you are in an accident, fall ill or unconscious—your smartphone can still provide your critical medical information such as medication you are taking (i.e., a blood thinner or anticoagulant), your known allergies, and your blood type.
You can set up your smartphone so that first responders can access this information without needing your phone passcode. As they say…there’s a app for that (or built-in) on your iPhone or android phone!
iPhone Medical ID access button
Apple iPhone
The Apple iPhone has this feature built directly into the iOS Health App under the Medical ID section. After you enter your personal medical data and other facts, you can toggle “Show When Locked”.
Your keyboard will then display a “Medical ID” button to reach your preset medical information. First responders simply press the button.
How to: For step-by-step instructions for an iPhone, go to Set up your Medical ID in the Health app to learn how.
Android Smartphone
Android smartphone Medical ID access message
To add this emergency medical info feature to Android smartphones, you have several options depending on the specific phone.
• For Android phones, go to Settings and select “Emergency Info” or “Medical”. (For the Google Pixel phone, use the dedicated app called “Safety”)
• Or, you can download the free Medical ID app from the Google.com app store.
Watch the video: To make setup easier, you may want to watch a how-to video:
• How to Create a Medical ID on an Android Device (Did You Know?) from BridgingApps (2:12 min)
• How to Set Up Medical ID on Android (Samsung Galaxy & Google Pixel) by Quick Tutorials (1:56 min)
Setup it Once and You’re Prepared
Whether you are using an iPhone or an Android smartphone, and whether you are using a built-in feature or downloading an app, either way you are prepared.
Emergency first responders will be able to view your medical details despite using a passcode protected smartphone.
What medical information should you compile and carry with you?
See our article: Your Portable Medical Information Kit.
2026 AF Symposium: GLP-1 Improved Post Ablation A-Fib
7-14-26 10pm corrected missing link. | In my last 2026 AF Symposium report, I share with you one of the most impressive research findings of my reports. Potentially a new effective antiarrhythmic drug—and a new antiarrhythmic medication that works!
At this year’s AF Symposium, Dr. Gianluca Iacobellis (University of Miami, FL) gave a presentation entitled “The Role of GLP-1 RA on AF and AF Ablation Outcomes.”
GLP-1s (brand names Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Victoza, and Zepbound) are primarily approved for type 2 diabetes management, but are also approved for chronic weight management.
Dr. Iacobellis presents findings from The Liraglutide Effects in Atrial Fibrillation (LEAF) Study. Researchers were looking to improve outcomes for persistent A-Fib patients undergoing catheter ablation. The objective was to test adjunctive therapy for three months pre-ablation with GLP-1 Liraglutide along with Risk Factor Modification for weight loss (typically includes changing lifestyle habits like diet and exercise, improving sleep and stress, and managing underlying conditions with medical support).
One goal was reduction in recurrent A-Fib at one-year. …>Continue reading for the remarkable findings. Go to me full report…>
Selecting the Right Cardiologist: 10 A-Fib Questions You’ve Got to Ask & What Their Answers Mean
I recently updated this post from a few years ago. This is a reminder of one of the several free downloads we offer to help you in your efforts to free yourself from the burden of Atrial Fibrillation. For others see “Free Reports, Worksheets and Downloads“.
Searching for the right cardiologist or electrophysiologist for your Atrial Fibrillation? It’s not any easy task. It’s important you match the right doctor to your treatment goals. Not just any cardiologist will do.
Read our page, Finding the Right Doctor For You and Your Treatment Goals, and How to Start Your Search. 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.
Develop a short list of EPs and schedule interviews with each (don’t be shy about this. They will be “interviewing” you too to determine if they are the right doctor to help you.)
Remember: This is your heart we’re talking about here. Be bold! Remember: You must be your own best patient advocate to find the right doctor for you and your treatment goals!
Download Our Free Worksheet: Questions for Doctors
To help you scrutinize prospective doctors, we’ve written a set of interview questions. Our Questions for Doctors worksheet has the questions to ask each doctor and an area to write down their responses. Download our free worksheet. Print a copy for each doctor you talk to.
Afterwards: Learn How to Interpret the Answers You Received
Back home, study your notes about each doctor. To ‘interpret’ the doctors’ answers, see our article, “Choosing the Right Doctor: 10 Questions You’ve Got to Ask (And What Their Answers Mean)“.
We’ve included the various responses you might receive, and what each response means to you when searching for the right doctor for you and your treatment goals. The answers should help you narrow down your choices to the right doctor for you.
DON’T FORGET: File your worksheets and other notes in your A-Fib binder or folder for future reference (later, you might want a second opinion).
Download the FREE Questions for Doctors .PDF worksheet and save to your hard drive.
(separate browser window will open). Print multiple copies.
Updated: What is Your Portable Medical Information Kit?
I’ve updated this page with the newest examples (with links to each) of how to carry your personal medical information with you, but it all starts with knowing what information you should compile.
When you have A-Fib and you’re taking a blood thinner or other medication, you may wonder if you should carry an emergency I.D. card or wear a medical bracelet.
According to a paramedic with 25 years of experience, emergency measures to stop bleeding such as compresses, tourniquets, etc. will be used whether or not the paramedic knows one has A-Fib and is taking a blood thinner like Coumadin or the newer Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) like Eliquis and Xarelto.
But, in general, it’s a great help to emergency personnel if you carry one or more forms of emergency medical ID.
Dr. Todd Cohen, the author of the book, The Patient’s Guide to Heart Rhythm Problems, calls it a “portable medical information kit”. …Continue reading to learn what to include in your “portable medical information kit”…-and the various ways you can carry the information with you…->
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Get Your COVID-19 Virus Booster Shots: A-Fib Patients at Higher Risk
COVID-19 (caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2) typically is a threat to the lungs, but it also can worsen any existing cardiovascular disease.
Atrial Fibrillation and COVID-19 are a common and potentially a lethal combination.
Comorbid Conditions Increase Fatality Rate
Many A-Fib patients also suffer from other chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. With comorbid conditions, COVID-19 can increase the severity and fatality of the virus.
“Comorbid” means the simultaneous presence of two chronic diseases or conditions in a patient.
According to research from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC), COVID-19 patients with no comorbid conditions had a case fatality rate of 0.9%. Conversely, patients with the following comorbid conditions had much higher fatality rates:
+ 10.5% for those with cardiovascular disease
+ 7.3% for diabetes
+ 6.3% for chronic respiratory disease
+ 6.0% for hypertension
+ 5.6% for cancer.
Among critical cases, the case fatality rate is unsurprisingly highest at 49%.
Worsening of Existing A-Fib
Developing A-Fib is a common occurrence for those striken with the COVID-19 virus.
For those of us with pre-existing A-Fib, COVID-19 can exacerbate our Atrial Fibrillation. COVID-19 causes an inflammatory response and puts stress on the heart which can lead to:
• More frequent A-Fib episodes
• Increased severity of symptoms
• Greater risk of complications, such as stroke
COVID19 enhances “thrombo-inflammation”, a vicious, self-amplifying cycle where blood clotting (thrombosis) and immune-driven inflammation continuously trigger one another which intensifies coagulation and may increase the risk of cardiac embolism in patients with A-Fib.
You Must Stay Current with Your COVID-19 Booster Shot
Because of higher risk, Atrial Fibrillation patients need to stay current with their COVID-19 booster shots.
Locally, Patti and I visit our CVS drug store to get our booster shots, then we report the information to our doctor (the pharmacy also sends in a report).
Make it a Family Affair
Act Today! Ask your healthcare professional to check if you and your family are current with your COVID-19 booster. And if not, ask about scheduling an appointment or where to go locally to get your booster. You owe it to your family!
It’s a preventative step to avoid the high cardiovascular risk of having A-Fib combined with getting a SARS-CoV-2 infection.
2026 AF Symposium Spotlight—How Hospitals Are Using AI for Patient Remote Monitoring
At the 2026 AF Symposium Spotlight Session–New and Emerging Technologies in EP, Dr. Babak Bozorgnia (Lehigh Valley Health Center, Allentown, PA) gave a presentation on using AI (Artificial Intelligence) in actual clinical practice.
Dr. Babak Bozorgnia
His talk “A Practical Guide to AI in EP Remote Monitoring: Workflow, Evidence, and Impact” was unusual in that he did not promote a particular AI system or device. Instead he explained in general the uses and advantages of AI to better help cardiac patients.
Implementing Remote Monitoring
In Allentown, PA, there are 11 hospitals. In caring for their many cardiac patients, they use 8,000 devices (such as heart monitors) which all have to be monitored.
In 2019 the Allentown hospitals implemented remote monitoring.
Current Workflow Problems: The EP doctors and staff were overwhelmed with massive amounts data. With the crush of data, they were unable to consistently maintain services…-> continue to read how this was causing staff burnout among other problems until they turned to an Artificial Intelligent platform->
2026 AF Symposium Presentation ballroom: panel discussion underway with presenters
Learn How A-Fib Robs You of Your Heart Health: Let Me Count the 11 Ways
I first published this in 2021, but we all (especially newer A-Fib readers) should be reminded of the cost of staying in Atrial Fibrillation (instead of seeking your cure). Remember: Aim for a cure, not a life on medication.
Atrial Fibrillation is a disease of the heart but affects your overall health as well. It is often said, “A-Fib begets A-Fib”. It’s a progressive disease and is self-perpetuating.
Here are the many ways A-Fib can rob you of your heart health:
1. Risk of stroke. The biggest danger from A-Fib is stroke. Because your heart isn’t pumping out properly, blood can pool in your atria then form clots that travel to the brain causing stroke. Use of anticoagulant drugs reduce, but don’t eliminate, the risk of an A-Fib stroke. Anticoagulants are high risk drugs. They don’t cure or improve your A-Fib.
2. Reduced Blood Circulation. A-Fib reduces your heart’s pumping ability by 15%–30%, decreasing blood flow to the brain and to the rest of the body. This may cause weakness, fatigue, dizziness, brain fog, fainting spells, swelling of the legs, and shortness of breath. Over time, reduced blood circulation contributes to many other health issues.
3. Fibrosis (Structural Remodeling). Over time A-Fib produces fiber-like scar tissue in place of the normal smooth walls of the heart. Fibrosis makes the heart stiff, less flexible and weak with a loss of atrial muscle mass. …Continue reading about the 11 Ways A-Fib Robs You of Your Health.
2026 AF Symposium Challenging Cases in AF Management and Stroke Prevention
This is one of my personal favorite sessions, though it’s also one of the least attended (probably because people are leaving early to catch a plane home on the last day of the Symposium).
In this Saturday afternoon session, doctors talk about their most difficult and challenging cases with honesty and humility. Presentations were 5 minutes long followed by 5-minute discussions.
91-year-old Tennis Player with Huge Left Atrial Appendage Opening
Rodney Horton, MD
Dr. Rodney Horton presented the challenging case of a 91-year-old man with persistent A-Fib who lead a very active life. He played tennis dally. (The patient wanted to get off of anticoagulants because of his energetic lifestyle and because he didn’t like being dependent on anticoagulants.
The Problem: The opening (ostium) of his Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) was immense. Dr. Horton described it as “huge and pretty scary looking.” No existing LAA closure device was big enough to close off his ostium. Read about Dr. Horton’s creative, innovation solution to restore this man’s active lifestyle->
I’m Still A-Fib-Free: Steve’s A-Fib Recurrences and Touch-up Ablations 2019-2026
I realized that it’s been about 5 years since I shared my Atrial Fibrillation updates with the readers of A-Fib.com. Since 2021, I’m blessed to be free of A-Fib once again. That was the year that I had recurrence of my A-Fib 20 years after my initial catheter ablation and was cured in Bordeaux, France. You can read my early story here. But for now, let me take you back to 2019.
2019: My A-Fib Returns after 20 years
Steve S. Ryan, PhD; A-Fib-Free (again) since 2021
In 2019, my A-Fib recurred after 20 wonderful A-Fib-free years. My A-Fib recurrence didn’t come as much of a surprise.
My catheter ablation back in 1998 was primitive compared to what EPs are doing today. I had what was called at that time a “focal point catheter ablation”. They actually ablated inside just one of my pulmonary veins (PVs) to eliminate the A-Fib signal source. (Today they don’t ablate inside a PV anymore because of the possible danger of causing stenosis/swelling of the PV.)
Choosing a Touch-up Ablation Rather Than A-Fib Drugs
I was asymptomatic and was offered the treatment option of just taking A-Fib drugs. I chose instead to have a modern “touch-up” catheter ablation performed August 1st, 2019 by Dr. Shephal Doshi at St. John’s hospital in Santa Monica, CA.
My A-Fib catheter ablation went off without a hitch. I was in the cath lab by 8 am, out by 11 am, discharged by 5 pm and home by 6 pm. I felt great! (but no heavy lifting or workouts for two weeks.
Comparing My RF Catheter Ablations: 1998 vs 2019
When I developed paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in 1997, I was very symptomatic. This time, in 2019, I didn’t have any symptoms—instead my A-Fib was detected by my tiny, inserted Medtronic Reveal LINQ loop monitor/recorder (placed just under the skin on your chest).
Since 1998, the treatment of A-Fib by catheter ablation has advanced by light years including 3-D Mapping, ablation systems and catheter technologies.
My last ablation 21 years ago in Bordeaux lasted eight+ hours. This one at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, CA took only 2-3 hours.
In Bordeaux, I was in the hospital for 9 days (mostly for observation, and a “touch up” second EP lab visit). In 2019, I was in and out in 12 hours.
The Following Week Recurrence: Install a Pacemaker?
One morning in the following week at 6:27 am unbeknownst to me, my LINQ recorder captured an A-Fib episode—a seven-second pause. Dr. Doshi wanted to install a pacemaker right away but I decided to wait and see. It’s not uncommon for A-Fib to reoccur during your three-month blanking period. Your heart is learning to beat again in normal sinus rhythm. So I didn’t panic. It was the right choice for me.
My 2-Month Post-Op: All is Good
I felt fine. I haven’t had an A-Fib episode for a month. My ECG looked perfect. Dr. Doshi took me off my anticoagulant (Xarelto). Yippee! A life free of A-Fib is truly a blessing. (Spoiler: At least for a few years.)
…Continue reading->...Steve’s 2021 A-Fib Returns, a Touch-up Ablation and his 2026 Update.
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