Atrial Fibrillation Signs and Symptoms with Dr. Samy Elayi

Video Transcript

HealthBreak, brought to you by CHI Saint Joseph Health.

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular, fast rhythm of the heart. Dr. Samy Elayi from CHI Saint Joseph Medical Group - Cardiology and EP describes the symptoms.

Samy Elayi, MD with CHI Saint Joseph Medical Group - Cardiology and EP

The first thing would be the fast heart rate, which we call palpitations. Another very common factor that comes with AFib is people are out of breath when they try to do something, when they try to exercise. Other non-specific symptoms are fatigue, swelling in the feet, and sometimes chest pain.

If you have these symptoms, don't ignore them because atrial fibrillation can lead to a stroke or heart failure.

We can go from blood thinner to prevent strokes to a heart medication to slow the heart rate. We have a procedure we can offer also called an ablation where we go into the heart and try to eliminate the area that creates AFib.

For more information, go to CHISaintJosephHealth.org. I’m Adrianne Flores.