HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Huntsville Cardiac Electrophysiologist Dr. Paul Tabereaux describes Atrial Fibrillation and what causes someone to have the procedure done planned or in an emergency.
"Atrial Fibrillation is the common rhythm problem we see in America," said Tabereaux. One in three people in the US will have this procedure done before the age of 75 and is in charge of a quarter of strokes.
Can you feel if you need an AFIB?
According to Tabereaux, one could feel their heart race or a flip flop feeling. One could also feel weak because inside the upper part of the heart, or the electrical part of the heart could be experiencing a clot that could go to the brain.
Could someone admitted for covid be at risk?
"It depends we see people have with acute illness, so if a patient comes in with COVID, goes in the ICU, and develops AFIB it's a marker of poor outcome," said Tabereaux. Some have also reported an increased heart rate weeks after having COVID.
What does the procedure entail?
Doctors like Tabereaux go inside the heart and use heat energy or radiofrequency to cook or freeze the tissues with a catheter.
How can you prevent having AFIB?
Like any heart disease monitor blood pressure, weight, and if the doctor recommends, wear a CPAP.