AFib Guide

Your Path to a Stronger Heart Starts Here

hands wearing blue gloves holding a red heart stressball
At Emerald Coast Heart & AFib, we believe that knowledge is power—especially when it comes to your heart. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib), you’re not alone. Millions of people successfully manage AFib and continue to live active, fulfilling lives. Our goal is to provide you with the most advanced AFib treatments, cutting-edge procedures, and a comprehensive approach to heart health.

What is Atrial Fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is the most common heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia), affecting millions of Americans. In AFib, the upper chambers of the heart (atria) are essentially “short circuited”, causing the heart to beat irregularly and too fast, preventing the heart from pumping blood efficiently.

This irregular rhythm can cause symptoms like palpitations, fatigue, and shortness of breath, but most importantly, AFib significantly increases the risk of stroke and heart failure. The good news? AFib is treatable, and early intervention can make a life-changing difference.

Why Diagnosing AFib Early is Important

Catching AFib and treating it as early as possible is critical to preserving your heart health. Here’s why early detection matters:

Reduces Stroke Risk – AFib increases stroke risk by five times. With early treatment, we can dramatically reduce this risk with lifestyle changes, medications, and procedures.
Prevents AFib from Getting Worse – “AFib begets AFib” is a common phrase – the longer you are in it, the more the heart negatively adapts to maintain AFib causing it to progress over time, sometimes very rapidly, becoming harder to treat. Early intervention prevents this progression and prevents long-term complications.
Improves Symptoms & Quality of Life – Fatigue, dizziness, and palpitations can disrupt your daily life. Decresed stamina is very common “I just got older last year” is commonly how patients can also feel. The sooner AFib is managed, the sooner you can get back to feeling your best.
Protects Your Heart – Long-term AFib can weaken the heart and lead to heart failure. Treating AFib early helps maintain a strong and healthy heart.

Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation

AFib can feel different for everyone. Some people experience noticeable symptoms, while others may not realize they have AFib and have adjusted to a lower quality of life until it’s discovered during a routine exam.

Common symptoms include:

🔹 Heart palpitations (a fast, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat)
🔹 Fatigue or low energy levels, decreased stamina
🔹 Shortness of breath
🔹 Dizziness or lightheadedness
🔹 Chest discomfort or pressure
🔹 Fainting (in rare cases)

Even if you don’t feel symptoms, AFib is still just as dangerous, so routine heart checkups are essential.

Risk Factors for Atrial Fibrillation

Several factors can increase the risk of developing AFib, but the exciting news is that many of them are modifiable—meaning you have the power to take control of your heart health!

Modifiable Risk Factors (Things you can improve!):

💪 High Blood Pressure – Keeping your BP under control lowers your risk.
💪 Obesity – Even a small weight loss can significantly reduce AFib risk.
💪 Sleep Apnea – Undiagnosed sleep apnea is a major AFib trigger! A simple sleep study can help.
💪 Excess Alcohol Intake – Cutting back can dramatically improve AFib.
💪 Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome – A heart-healthy diet can make a huge impact.
💪 Chronic Stress – Managing stress through exercise, meditation, and self-care helps stabilize heart rhythms.

Non-Modifiable Risk Factors (Things we can’t change):

✔ Age (AFib is more common over age 60)
✔ Family History of AFib
✔ Prior Heart Conditions: heart failure, previous heart attacks, valve disease

At Emerald Coast Heart & AFib, we focus on treating AFib from all angles—helping you not just control the arrhythmia, but also transform your heart health for the better.

If you have symptoms, don’t wait;
Early diagnosis leads to better outcomes!

How is AFib Diagnosed?

AFib diagnosis is easier than ever thanks to advanced heart monitoring technology. We use:

🔹 Electrocardiogram (EKG) – A quick office test that detects AFib in seconds.
🔹 Holter Monitor – A portable device that records your heart rhythm for 24-48 hours at home.
🔹 Event Monitors & Implantable Loop Recorders – For longer-term monitoring if AFib happens intermittently.
🔹 Echocardiogram (Echo) – Uses ultrasound to assess your heart’s structure and function.

The Pillars of AFib Treatment

At Emerald Coast Heart & AFib, we take a comprehensive approach to treating AFib. There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution—we tailor treatment to your specific needs.

Modifying Risk Factors: The foundation of AFib management starts with YOU. Small lifestyle changes can make a big impact in controlling AFib and preventing it from coming back.
Addressing Anticoagulation (Stroke Prevention): If you have AFib, we assess your stroke risk and may prescribe blood thinners (anticoagulants) like Eliquis, Xarelto, Pradaxa or Warfarin to protect you. Not everyone with AFib needs a blood thinner, and we help determine the best approach for you. We also use the Watchman device in patients that need blood thinners and for various reasons are unable to take them.
Medications for Rate & Rhythm Control: We use two types of medications depending on your needs.
- ✔ Rate Control – Keeps your heart rate within a safe range.
- ✔ Rhythm Control – Helps restore a normal heartbeat and prevent AFib episodes.
Some patients respond to medications alone, while others may need advanced treatments like catheter ablation – a minimally invasive, often outpatient procedure.
Catheter Ablation: A Minimally Invasive Treatment for AFib: If medications aren’t enough, catheter ablation is a game-changing procedure that can stop AFib at its source. Ablation is one of the most effective long-term treatments for AFib!
- 🔥 Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) – Uses heat energy to correct abnormal electrical signals.
- Cryoablation – Freezes the problematic heart tissue to stop AFib.
- Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) – A new, cutting-edge technology that safely targets AFib with precise energy pulses.
Pacemakers (for Specific Cases): If AFib causes a slow heart rate, a pacemaker may be recommended to keep your heart beating at a safe and steady rhythm. The pacemaker does not “fix” atrial fibrillation like an ablation, instead it helps with medications to control the heart rate (not rhythm).

Take Control of Your Heart Health Today!

At Emerald Coast Heart & AFib, we specialize in AFib treatment tailored to YOU. Whether you need medications, lifestyle changes, or advanced procedures, we’ll guide you through every step. 📞 Call us today to schedule your consultation! Let’s take the first step toward a stronger, healthier heart — together!

850.854.3278 (85HEART)