Atrial Fibrillation

Q: What are some possible causes of atrial fibrillation, and how can I get rid of it? My doctor said I have it, but I was unaware of it. He put me on Coumadin to guard against stroke, etc. Now I do not sleep well.

A: There are many causes of atrial fibrillation, including a hereditary form, coronary disease, hypertension, overactive thyroid, and the list goes on. Warfarin (Coumadin) is important to reduce the risk of stroke and should not bother your sleeping. Some forms of atrial fibrillation can be cured by catheter ablation or surgery. Success rates depend on the kind of atrial fibrillation you have. If you are interested, contact a heart rhythm expert at the Heart Rhythm Society
(hrsonline.org or 202-464-3400) for an evaluation.

dr zipes

Heartbeat

Cardiac Test Basics

Please explain the difference between an electrocardiogram and an echocardiogram. What exactly do these tests tell doctors about the heart?

Give the Gift of Life

My brother-in-law just turned 50 and needs a new heart. We sometimes hear that wealthy people get donor organs quicker than others. Is this true? How long is the usual wait for a new heart?

Low-Dose Aspirin for Heart Health

What is the latest information about taking daily baby aspirin to help the heart?

Heart Defect Often Causes No Symptoms

I had a stroke in 2003, and a diagnostic test showed a “hole” in my heart with no right-to-left shunt. The shunt didn’t show up on a different kind of test in 2009, either. I came through the stroke fine because I went to the hospital right away and have been on warfarin ever since. My question is: If there’s no shunt, is the hole present?

Surgery Corrects Heart Rhythm

Q: How does the Maze treatment for atrial fibrillation work, and what does it involve? A: The Maze procedure is open heart surgery to eliminate rapid heartbeats. It involves making a series of incisions in the top portion of the heart, the atria. In experienced hands, the procedure is successful in more than 90 percent [...]