Experiencing Atrial Fibrillation on the Central Coast

When you feel your heart flutter, it might be due to a good thing — like seeing a loved one or recalling a happy memory. But, sometimes, that’s not the case. Irregular heartbeats can signal an arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation, or AFib. This heart condition affects nearly 3 million people in the US.

Whether it’s a quiver, flutter, or no sign at all, receive award-winning cardiac care for atrial fibrillation on the Central Coast. Our Dignity Health Central Coast cardiologists treat a range of cardiovascular conditions, and you can expect expert services provided with your dignity and respect always in mind.

Find a Doctor for atrial fibrillation treatment from our comprehensive heart team today.

 

Recognizing Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms at Dignity Health Central Coast

You can have AFib without even recognizing it. While some have the classic atrial fibrillation symptoms of fluttering or quivering, you may not know you have it until your doctor tells you.

Other symptoms that may lead to a atrial fibrillation diagnosis include:

  • Dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Chest pain
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Weakness or fatigue
  • Trouble with exercise 

Call 911 or get immediate emergency care if you or a loved one has chest pain or other heart attack symptoms.

For persistent AFib, treatment can help restore your normal heart rhythm. Although heart care can’t restore your normal rhythm for permanent AFib, our treatment options can help maintain your heart rate and reduce your risk of stroke.

 

Atrial Fibrillation Causes & Life-Saving Diagnosis

Arrhythmias affect your heart’s electrical system, while other conditions involve blockages or heart damage. Damage to your heart’s electrical system causes AFib and includes:

Your Dignity Health Central Coast heart doctor will review other risk factors, such as family history of AFib, alcohol abuse, obesity, and advanced age. Thyroid disease, diabetes, lung disease, sleep apnea, and other medical conditions also can lead to atrial fibrillation.

To offer a complete diagnosis, your doctor also may conduct these tests:

  • Echocardiogram, which takes pictures of your beating heart and valves
  • Electrocardiogram to show the rhythm and rate of your heart
  • Stress test to check how your heart handles increased work
  • Holter and event monitors, which are longer versions of an EKG that monitor your heart rhythm over a longer period of time

 

Atrial Fibrillation Treatment Options That are Right for You

Our heart care team wants to keep you healthy and safeguard you from AFib-related medical complications, such as blood clots. Our treatment options for atrial fibrillation focus on preventing clots and controlling your heart rate.

To reset your heart rhythm, we offer electrical cardioversion, chemical or pharmacological cardioversion, catheter ablation, and maze surgery. In the event doctors are unable to reset your heart rhythm, medications can help. You and your doctor will discuss the benefits of each option, so you can choose treatment that’s right for you.

Dignity Health’s provides care with humankindness for atrial fibrillation on the Central Coast.