From the pain of a first heartbreak to the rapid heartbeats that occur when being in love, the heart undergoes a range of emotions and experiences.
Unfortunately, another common heart condition affecting over six million Americans is atrial fibrillation or A-fib. This condition occurs when the heart’s upper chambers beat out of sync with the lower chambers causing an irregular or rapid heart rhythm. A-fib increases the risk of stroke, heart failure or other heart-related issues when left untreated.
Common A-fib symptoms include:
- Heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness
Advances in technology can help manage A-fib symptoms and provide relief. Pulsed field ablations (PFA) is a new state-of-the-art treatment we will be offering at Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital’s Heart and Vascular Institute starting this month to treat A-fib in a fraction of the time compared to standard ablations. It is also more effective in ablating selected heart tissue to stop A-fib while not damaging the surrounding tissue.
“This new technology allows us to perform these procedures safely and more quickly with a shorter length of anesthesia. Most patients will go home after just a few hours,” said Dr. Peter Chang-Sing, who is one of the most experienced clinical cardiac electrophysiologists in Northern California and a highly respected research investigator.
If you have experienced any of the symptoms associated with A-fib, schedule a visit with a Providence physician to be evaluated and learn what treatment options are best for you. For tips on how to maintain a healthy heart, view our state lecture featuring board-certified, interventional cardiologists.
