Heart Care

Is Your Heart Skipping a Beat? It Could Be More Serious Than You Think.

Or, Are You Living with Atrial Fibrillation and Looking for New Treatment Options?

Schedule Your Atrial Fibrillation Consultation Today!

What is Atrial Fibrillation?
If your heart beats too quickly or with an irregular pattern, you may have a heart rhythm disorder or arrhythmia. Atrial Fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia. During Atrial Fibrillation, the upper chamber of the heart, the atria, can beat chaotically at 400 to 500 beats per minute creating a disorganized, ineffective and rapid heart beat. If left untreated, Atrial Fibrillation can cause debilitating strokes, heart failure and even death.

Do You Have Atrial Fibrillation? Looking for Options?
Have you been diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation, but would like a different option for treatment? We provide education and consultations with our Atrial Fibrillation team for those who have previously been diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation to discuss potential treatment options. Our multidisciplinary team, which includes a nurse practitioner, cardiologist, electrophysiologist and cardiothoracic surgeon, will combine their expertise and design an individualized treatment plan for you. They will also review your medical history, related family history and other clinical data that your doctor may have collected in diagnosing you with Atrial Fibrillation. The staff will communicate (with your permission) any recommendations for treatment during the consultation to any physicians that you designate. 

What Causes Atrial Fibrillation?
An estimated 2.5 million people experience Atrial Fibrillation per year. Atrial Fibrillation can occur in otherwise healthy individuals, but in some cases it is associated with the following:

• Hypertension
• Coronary artery disease
• Heart valve disease
• Chronic lung disease
• Heart surgery
• Heart failure or cardiomyopathy
• Congenital heart disease
• Pulmonary embolus
• Thyroid disorders

Symptoms Associated With Atrial Fibrillation
Not everyone with Atrial Fibrillation experiences the same symptoms, and some people may feel no symptoms at all. The most common include:

• Heart palpitations - sensations of a racing, uncomfortable, irregular heartbeat or a flopping in your chest
• Lack of energy or fatigue
• Dizziness - feeling lightheaded or faint
• Chest discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion

Early Diagnosis Means Early Treatment
Our team has the most advanced and non-invasive Atrial Fibrillation diagnostic technology available, including: electrocardiograms (EKG), holter monitors and event monitors.

St. Luke's Offers Advanced Treatments
The goals for Atrial Fibrillation treatment are stroke prevention, rhythm and rate control, symptom reduction and education enhancement. We offer some of the most advanced treatments available today including blood-thinning medications, rate and rhythm control medications, pacemakers, the surgical Maze procedure and radio frequency ablation utilizing 3-D mapping. Under Dr. J. Mauricio Sanchez, we also offer the WATCHMAN™ left atrial appendage closure device to decrease stroke risk in patients with AFib without having to use blood thinners.   

Schedule Your Consultation Today!
To schedule a consultation or to get a second opinion on your current Atrial Fibrillation diagnosis and treatment, call 314-205-6060.