Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to frequently asked questions about AFib, treatment options, insurance and billing, appointments, recovery, and patient care.

AFib onset is multifactorial, meaning there is more than one cause.
Multiple modifiable risk factors which can cause AFib are: hypertension, obesity, excessive alcohol and sleep apnea.
Our focus is helping patients with the modifiable risk factors, or specific actions to reduce or eliminate or to alleviate the AFib for example identification and treatment of sleep apnea.

Two life threatening outcomes associated with Afib are clot formation that can lead to strokes and heart failure- the heart’s inability to adequately pump blood.
In AFib patients, the CHA2 DS 2 VASc risk calculator is used to determine if a patient would benefit from anticoagulants. For example, if a risk score is > 2 the patient is at moderate to high risk of a stroke event over the year.
Anticoagulants are used to reduce the chance of a stroke.

The treatment options are pharmacological or medicines along with procedures to suppress abnormal rhythms of the heart.
Medicines include antiarrhythmic agents that chemically attempt to alter the rhythm and procedures that physically alter the heart and surrounding anatomy to suppress the arrhythmia.
Procedures include cardioversions, ablations and a combination of surgical ablations known as the hybrid approach.
Ablations can be done with different energy sources such as freezing in a cryoablation, radio frequency ablation or laser ablation.
Ablations are the most common procedural option for AFib and the mainstay is to block the pulmonary veins from initiating the abnormal rhythm known as pulmonary vein isolation.
If a patient has tried all of these options and is still experiencing AFib we may consider a modified maze or hybrid approach, a more aggressive attempt to physically stop the abnormal rhythm.

A normal heart rate is an average of 60 -100 beats per minute (BPM), 110 – 120 BPM with exercise.
In Afib patients heart rates can average > 130 – 140 BPM.
Rate control medicines try to maintain the rate below an average of < 120 BPM.
Rhythm control medicines attempt to keep the heart in normal sinus rhythm. Sinus rhythm is the consistent pattern of rhythm that starts in the same place of the heart to pump the blood.

Why Patients Trust Our Team

Every specialist is board-certified and has completed elite fellowship training in cardiology or surgery.

Our team stays at the forefront of AFib care by embracing the latest treatment techniques, technology, and clinical knowledge.

We take the time to understand each patient’s needs and provide personalized guidance throughout their care journey.

Our specialized team is here to support you. Reach out through any of the channels below.