Atrial fibrillation is a heart condition in which the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) beat irregularly and too fast because they receive extra, "abnormal" electrical signals. This causes the atria to quiver (fibrillate), affecting the heart's ability to pump blood to the body. As a result, your brain and other organs may not be getting the full blood supply they need.

AFib becomes more challenging to treat over time. It can lead to irreversible heart damage or the formation of blood clots inside the heart, which in turn may lead to a stroke. AFib causes about 1 in 7 strokes.

Some people are asymptomatic, or don’t experience any symptoms of AFib, while others may experience one or more of the following: 

• Shortness of breath
• Rapid heart rate
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Chest pain
• Exercise intolerance

Your doctor may not be able to pinpoint just one cause of AFib, but there are certain risk factors that increase your odds of developing it. These include:

• High blood pressure 
• Diabetes
• Sleep apnea 
• Lung problems/disease (asthma)  
• Increased age
• Obesity

AFib can be detected through an electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) that records electrical signals generated by the heart. A Holter monitor may also be worn for one or more days to detect AFib, and more recently, wearable technology such as SmartWatches may also help detect when someone is in AFib.

Treatment for AFib can vary based on how long someone has had it, their symptoms, and the underlying cause of the issue. Treatment options may include medications, therapies, or minimally invasive catheter ablation procedures. 

In March 2024, Sequoia Hospital was one of the first health systems in California to offer Pulsed Field Ablation, PFA. PFA is a revolutionary, minimally invasive treatment for AFib. It uses high amplitude electrical pulses to eliminate the cells in the heart that drive and cause AFib.

Hybrid ablation is an advanced treatment option for patients with hard-to-treat AFib that combines both surgical and catheter-based techniques performed by a cardiothoracic surgeon and electrophysiologist.