This can restore your heart’s rhythm

A healthy heart contracts and relaxes normally. But in a person with atrial fibrillation (AFib), the upper chambers of the heart beat irregularly, which can lead to serious complications including blood clots, heart failure and stroke. Some individuals with AFib are asymptomatic. Others may experience symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness, irregular heartbeat and shortness of breath.

According to the American Heart Association, more than 12 million people will have AFib by 2030.

AFib treatment may involve medication, including blood thinners, surgical treatment and/or nonsurgical options. The right treatment option for AFib depends on a person’s diagnosis and other known medical conditions. One treatment option, known as ablation, involves modifying heart tissue to prevent AFib signals from driving the heart’s rhythm.

“Ablation is a procedure that targets the heart tissue in ways that block AFib signals,” explains Dr. Luke Chong, an electrophysiologist at Aurora BayCare and Aurora Health Care. “It is a minimally invasive procedure that we regularly perform in our catheterization lab.”

During ablation, a catheter is guided through veins in the patient’s groin, with occasional use of a neck vein, and placed inside the left atrium, the upper left chamber of the heart. In this chamber, triggers for AFib are then identified and ablated. Depending on physician preference and patient factors, ablation can be performed using either radiofrequency energy (“heating”) or cryo-ablation (“freezing”).

“The recovery time from ablation is quick. Some patients are able to go home the same day, but others do stay for additional monitoring,” says Dr. Chong. “We may also give patients medication to prevent their heart arrhythmia from continuing after ablation while the procedure takes full effect.”

If you suspect you have AFib, speak with your doctor.

To lower your risk of heart disease, maintain a healthy lifestyle by exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, managing your weight, and avoiding smoking and excessive drinking.

Want to learn more about your risk for heart disease? Take a free online quiz to learn more.