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Monthly Archives: August 2016

Dr. Pubbi Discusses Atrial Fibrillation

Dr. Dinesh Pubbi was recently featured on First Coast Living and discussed Atrial Fibrillation also known as AFib.

What is atrial fibrillation?

  • Also called AFib.
  • Most common arrhythmia in USA and world wide.
  • 5 to 6.5 million now. By 2050 eight million will be effected.
  • Irregular heart beat from upper chamber of heart.

2- What are the signs/symptoms? What Do People Feel?

  • Some people may complain of palpitations shortness of breath, chest pain, racing heart.
  • Flip flops in heart fluttering or flopping.
  • Fatigue and tiredness.
  • 30% may not have any symptoms at all.

3- Are women more likely than men to have irregular heart beats? What about Race; are Afro Americans more likely than the white population to suffer from irregular heart beats?

  • Women tend to develop atrial fibrillation at an older age then men; 4 years older.
  • Risk of death higher in women with AFib.
  • Women need to see electrophysiologist sooner.
  • Caucasians have higher prevalence of AFib.

4-Is atrial fibrillation associated with stroke or heart attack risk?

  • AFib is the leading cause of stroke.
  • Risk of stroke five times higher than normal population.
  • Up to 80%of strokes in people with AFib can be prevented.

5 -How is AFib treated?

  • Depends on how long you have it.
  • Three kinds of AFib – paroxysmal, persistent, and permanent.
  • Reset the rhythm.
  • Prevent blood clots from forming.
  • Coumadin and the new agents.

6-Can a person be cured of AFib? Can it go away?

  • Antiaarrhythmic medications, cardio version.
  • Ablation can be a cure for some patients.
  • Catheter ablations minimal invasive.
  • Can use heat Radiofrequency energy or freeze cryotherapy.
    • Used to treat hot spots or abnormal cells.
    • This corrects the arrhythmia without the need of medication or implantable device.
  • Need to see Electrophysiology doctor.

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