All About AFib: Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Treatment Options for Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a potentially serious condition that affects the heart rhythm of about 2 million Americans. A hallmark symptom of AFib is an irregular heartbeat, generally one that beats too fast. Untreated, AFib can significantly increase the risk of long-term heart issues.

Parkview Cardiology PLLC in New York City specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation. Dr. Kedar Sankholkar, our board-certified cardiologist and internal medicine physician, uses advanced technology to identify the source of AFib.

We focus on evidence-based treatments to regulate your heart’s rhythm and reduce your risk of stroke, heart failure, and other complications.

What to know about AFib

AFib starts in the upper chambers of the heart (atria). The irregular heartbeat affects blood flow through the muscle, and the heart can’t pump blood out to the rest of the body efficiently.

In early stages, AFib may not cause noticeable symptoms. For this reason, it’s crucial to keep up with your routine physicals, especially if you have risk factors for heart disease.

As AFib persists, you might experience a rapid heartbeat, skipped heartbeats, or fluttering sensations in your chest. These symptoms may be accompanied by:

Fatigue
Dizziness
Lightheadedness
Chest pressure
Shortness of breath

If you have any of these symptoms, schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Parkview Cardiology. We offer blood work, electrocardiograms (EKGs), Holter monitors, and other testing services to better understand the cause of AFib.

Understanding AFib risk factors

A primary cause of AFib relates to congenital heart problems you’re born with or damage that results from a heart attack, high blood pressure, or coronary artery disease.

You may also be susceptible to AFib because of:

Aging
Obesity
Family history
Electrolyte imbalance
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Excessive use of caffeine, alcohol, or illegal drugs

People with chronic health issues like kidney disease, lung disease, or diabetes are also at increased risk of AFib and other heart conditions.

Blood clots are a complication of AFib and can lead to a stroke. If you have risk factors for blood clots because of a previous surgery, sedentary lifestyle, or history of smoking, we urge you to schedule routine heart screenings that can identify AFib in the earliest stage.

Know your treatment options for AFib

Occasional AFib symptoms may come and go, with symptoms that last for a few minutes or hours. Occasional AFib symptoms might resolve on their own without medical treatment by making necessary lifestyle changes.

Persistent AFib occurs when the irregular heart rhythm is constant. If you experience symptoms longer than 12 months, Dr. Sankholkar may diagnose long-standing persistent AFib.

Treatment for ongoing AFib symptoms can include medications to regulate your heartbeat. We also offer cardioversion therapy to reset your heart’s rhythm.

There’s also permanent AFib, an irregular heart rhythm that we can’t reset. People with permanent AFib may benefit from cardiac ablation, where cold or heat energy creates scar tissue in the heart that disrupts irregular signals to restore a healthy heartbeat.

Your treatment plan depends on the type of AFib and the severity of your symptoms. Dr. Sankholkar focuses on the least invasive treatment to improve your heart health and lower your risk of long-term complications.

To schedule an AFib evaluation at Parkview Cardiology PLLC, call our Midtown Manhattan office today or request your appointment online.