Page 20 - Abacoa Community News - February '25

Page 20, Abacoa
Detecting And Treating Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

With February being the month to raise awareness be done to confirm the diagnosis. There are devices like
for your heart, it’s an ideal time to emphasize the Holter monitors and event recorders that are worn by the
importance of detecting and treating AFib. AFib is a type patient and monitor the heart during days or weeks. All
of arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) that causes numerous patients with AFib should have an echocardiogram done
debilitating symptoms. by a cardiologist to detect any underlying heart disease.
Symptoms of AFib range from fatigue, chest Blood thinners are indicated if the risk for stroke is
palpitations or pounding, chest pain or pressure, difficulty significant.
breathing, dizziness or fainting. Treatment options depend on how long, often, and
Unfortunately, some patients are found to have AFib severe the AFib episodes occur. Treatments range from the
only after having a stroke. Some people with AFib feel use of medications, noninvasive procedures (cardioversion
no symptoms at all. and catheter ablation), to hybrid procedures where cardiac Dr. Klein concludes, “We have a unique and great
Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center offers a variety of surgeons and electrophysiologists work together to get opportunity to treat patients that have AFib. Treating AFib
minimally invasive treatment options for AFib and is on the patient back into a normal heart rhythm. successfully improves quality of life, reduces mortality,
the forefront of procedure options for this potentially life- AFib treatment options offered at Palm Beach Gardens and decreases the potential for developing strokes and
threatening condition. Leaving persistent AFib untreated Medical Center include: other cardiac conditions.”
can lead to blood clots, stroke and heart failure, as well • Atrial Fibrillation Ablation For more information about AFib treatment available
as other heart-related complications. • Convergent Procedure at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center visit https://www.
The heart has groups of specialized cells that generate • Laparoscopic Atrial Fibrillation Surgery palmbeachhealthnetwork.com/services/heart-care or call
electrical impulses that travel through natural pathways • Watchman (561) 622-1411.
from the top chambers to the bottom chambers of the heart
(from the atria to the ventricles). These impulses make
the heart contract and pump blood efficiently. In AFib,
there are changes in the structure of the atria that result
in abnormal electrical firing creating uncoordinated and
ineffective atrial contractions. Blood can pool in the atria Science On The Cutting Edge on page 21
forming clots that if dislodged can travel to the brain,
causing a stroke. The heartbeat in AFib becomes irregular
and can result in very fast or slow heart rates because of
this abnormal electrical activation.
As an electrophysiologist on the medical staff of
Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, Dr. Matthew
Klein encourages patients to seek medical attention
immediately if they are experiencing AFib symptoms,
and says, “Knowing if a person has AFib is important.
It is associated with a fivefold increased risk of having
a stroke, a threefold risk of developing heart failure and
a twofold risk of both dementia and mortality. AFib
strokes are likely to be more severe than non-AFib related
strokes.”
Conditions that predispose patients to develop AFib
include age over 60, coronary artery disease, heart
failure, high blood pressure, heart valve disease, prior
heart surgery, sleep apnea, hyperthyroidism, diabetes and
alcohol abuse.
Patients with suspected or proven AFib need a full
history and physical exam. An electrocardiogram should