Doctors & patients are saying about 'A-Fib.com'...
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Dr. Douglas L. Packer, MD, FHRS, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
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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
Video: EKG of Heart in Atrial Fibrillation on Monitor
Graphic display of actual heart in Atrial Fibrillation. How it could look to your doctor on an EKG/ECG monitor; (Your EKG may look different, but will be fast and erratic). Notice the changing heartbeat rate in the lower left. Compare to normal ECG below.
Share with you family and friends when you talk about your A-Fib. (:59 sec) Posted by jason king, Published on Aug 24, 2017.
Graphic: ECG of Heart in Normal Heart Rhythm and in Atrial Fibrillation
In the case of Atrial Fibrillation, the consistent P waves are replaced by fibrillatory waves, which vary in amplitude, shape, and timing (compare the two illustrations below).
How to Interpret an ECG Signal
EKG signal components
An electrocardiogram, ECG (EKG), is a test used to measure the rate and regularity of heartbeats, as well as the size and position of the chambers, the presence of any damage to the heart, and the effects of drugs or devices used to regulate the heart.
The ECG signal strip is a graphic tracing of the electrical activity of the heart. To learn more, see our article, Understanding the EKG Signal.
If you find any errors on this page, email us. Y Last updated: Friday, September 8, 2017
VIDEOS: Endoscopic Views of a Beating Heart in Atrial Fibrillation
The Left Atrium in Atrial Fibrillation
Endoscopic video of a beating heart; shows the Left Atrium during Atrial Fibrillation. Looped footage with voice-over narration. (:32 sec.) Posted by BillSchnee
YouTube video playback controls: When watching this video, you have several playback options. The following controls are located in the lower right portion of the frame: Turn on closed captions, Settings (speed/quality), Watch on YouTube website, and Enlarge video to full frame. Click an icon to select.
Amputation of the Left Atrial Appendage
Endoscopic video of a beating heart; shows placement of the Left Atrial Appendage into the jaws of the stapling device before amputation and removal (using a EZ45 linear stapler). With voice-over narration, (1:34 min.) Posted by BillSchnee.
YouTube video playback controls: When watching this video, you have several playback options. The following controls are located in the lower right portion of the frame: Turn on closed captions, Settings (speed/quality), Watch on YouTube website, and Enlarge video to full frame. Click an icon to select.
If you find any errors on this page, email us. Y Last updated: Thursday, August 31, 2017
Your Heart’s Electrical System & How Clots Form: An Introduction
Basic introduction to how the heart works. Identifies the parts of the heart and illustrates the role of each, and shows how clots form; Detail animation of the heart processes accompanied by narration. Transcript below. (3:50 min.)
Animation from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
TO PLAY VIDEO: Click the PLAY 
button (on the far left) to start video
(The controls inside the video frame don’t work.)\
If you find any errors on this page, email us. Y Last updated: Wednesday, August 26, 2020
New FAQ about Asymptomatic Long-Standing Persistent A-Fib
We’ve posted a new FAQ and answer based on an email I received from a fellow with a very challenging case of Long-standing Persistent Atrial Fibrillation:
“I am 69 years old, in permanent A-Fib for 15 years, but non-symptomatic. My left atrium is over 55mm and several cardioversions have failed. My EP won’t even try a catheter ablation. I exercise regularly and have met some self-imposed extreme goals. What more can I do?
My answer: As you may know, being in permanent (long-standing persistent) Atrial Fibrillation can cause other long term problems like fibrosis, increased risks of heart failure and dementia. So you are wise to be concerned.
I’m not surprised your electrophysiologist (EP) is reluctant about performing a catheter ablation. Being asymptomatic with 15 years of long-standing persistent A-Fib and a Left Atrium diameter of 55mm, most EPs wouldn’t recommend or perform a catheter ablation on you.
Tikosyn: (dofetilide)
Drug Therapy Option: Tikosyn
Have you tried the newer antiarrhythmic drug Tikosyn (generic name dofetilide)?
Tikosyn was designed for cases like yours. It’s a Class 1A drug that works by blocking the activity of certain electrical signals in the heart that can cause an irregular heartbeat. …Read more of my answer…
Infographic: My Best A-Fib Reference Books for Patients and Their Families
On a regular basis, we search the web for the best informational reading for Atrial Fibrillation patients and their families. We recommend only up-to-date, unbiased resources. To read my description of each book, see my ‘Wish List’ on Amazon.com. (Note: Use our Amazon portal link to order your books and your purchases help support A-Fib.com.)
Infographic: September is Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month
Last updated: September 7, 2018
During September each year, we focus our efforts on reaching those who may have Atrial Fibrillation and don’t know it. We offer a our infographic to educate the public about this healthcare issue, along with a free promotional banner and poster.
Share it! Pin it or Download (click on link to view full size, then ‘Save As’ )
Download (600 x 1600-pix): PNG format or JPEG format. Also available: Promo banner and promo poster.
About Atrial Fibrillation: An estimated 30%−50% of those affected with Atrial Fibrillation are unaware they have it—often only learning about their A-Fib during a routine medical exam. Of untreated patients, 35% will suffer a stroke. Half of all A-Fib-related strokes are major and disabling.
For more facts about Atrial Fibrillation, read or download the A-Fib Facts 5-page report.
Also available (click to enlarge, then Save As):
Promotional banner: 
Promotional poster:
If you find any errors on this page, email us. Y Last updated: Friday, September 7, 2018
Back to: The Threat to Patients with “Silent A-Fib” How to Reach Them?
InfoGFX: How Atrial Fibrillation Damages Your Heart, Brain and Other Organs
by Steve S. Ryan, PhD
It’s a bad idea to just live with your Atrial Fibrillation. A-Fib is a progressive disease. It reduces the amount of blood flowing to the rest of your body by about 15%–30% with damaging effects. At the same time, your heart is working progressively harder and harder.
A-Fib is definitely curable. (I was cured of my A-Fib in 1998). If you have A-Fib, no matter how long you’ve had it, you should aim for a complete and permanent cure.
If your doctor is satisfied with just keeping your A-Fib “under control,” I recommend you get a second opinion.
Refer to our Finding the Right Doctor page and related readings. We step you through all you need to know to find the right doctor for you and your treatment goals.
#AtrialFibrillation #afib #Arrhythmia #AtrialTachycardia #Tachycardia
New FAQ Answered: Which Procedure Has the Best Success Rate?
We’ve answered a new FAQ under the category: Understanding Atrial Fibrillation. Thanks to Thomas Scheben for this question:
I have paroxysmal A-Fib and would like to know your opinion on which procedure has the best cure rate.
The best cure rate isn’t the only criteria you should consider when seeking your Atrial Fibrillation cure. Let me first review your top three procedure options: cardioversion, catheter ablation, and surgical Maze/Mini-Maze.
Electrocardioversion: When first diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation, doctors often recommend an Electrocardioversion to get you back into normal sinus rhythm. But for most patients, their A-Fib returns within a week to a month. (However, you might be lucky like the A-Fib patient who wrote us that he was A-Fib free for 7 years after a successful cardioversion.)
Catheter Ablations: Radio-frequency and CryoBalloon catheter ablations have similar success rates 70%-85% for the first ablation, around 90% is you need a second ablation.
How to achieve these high success rates? It’s crucial you choose the right electrophysiologist (EP)…Continue to read my full answer.
Blizzard of 2016 Increases Risk of A-Fib Stroke
We’ve all heard of someone dropping dead from a heart attack while shoveling snow. But along with record snowfall and subfreezing temperatures comes a warning for those with Atrial Fibrillation. Winter increases stroke risk in people with A-Fib.
Winter: increased stroke risk
Do You Live in a Cold Climate?
In a study from Taiwan, nearly 300,000 people with new-onset A-Fib were followed for eleven years. Almost 35,000 suffered an ischemic (A-Fib) stroke.
The risk for an ischemic stroke was nearly 20% higher in winter than in summer.
“When the average temperature was below 68⁰ F (20⁰C), the risk of ischemic stroke significantly increased compared to days with an average temperature of 86⁰F (30⁰C).”
Why More Ischemic Strokes During Winter?
Cold weather may make blood more prone to coagulate.
Cooler temperatures may produce greater plasm fibrinogen levels and factor VII clotting activity and may lead to “increased coagulability and plasma viscosity,” according to the author of this study, Dr. Tze-Fan Chao.
What Patients Need To Know
The cold temperatures can put you more at risk for an A-Fib (Ischemic) stroke. So act accordingly. Bundle up during winter. Keep the thermostat set to keep you warm enough.
If you’re on a blood thinner, discuss this research with your doctor. You need to keep your anticoagulant levels up during winter.
My 2015 Top Five List: Advancements in the Treatment of A-Fib
Looking back over 2015, I found five significant developments for those ‘living’ with A-Fib and those seeking their ‘cure’. My ‘Top Five List’ focuses on the Watchman device, a Pradaxa antidote and research findings about lifestyle choices, and reducing fibrosis.
1. FDA Approves the Watchman Device
The Watchman is positioned via catheter
Anticoagulant Alternative: Because A-Fib patients are at high risk of stroke and clots, a blood thinner (anticoagulant) like warfarin is often prescribed. If you can’t or don’t want to be on blood thinners, you had few options.
That was until March 2015 when the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Watchman device. There’s now an option to blood thinners! The Watchman device (Boston Scientific) is inserted to close off the Left Atrial Appendage (LAA), the origin of 90%-95% of A-Fib clots.
To read my complete Top Five List…go to My 2015 Top Five List: A Review of Advancements in the Treatment of A-Fib->.
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