You may feel alarmed if your heart races or seems to skip beats now and then. Episodes of atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rate condition, can increase your risk of dangerous health complications like heart attack and stroke. Interventional cardiologist Behzad Taghizadeh, MD, FACC, has the expertise to help you manage atrial fibrillation, so it doesn’t put you at risk for a life-threatening condition. To schedule an evaluation for atrial fibrillation at the La Mesa, California, or San Diego, California, location, call San Diego Cardiac, Vein & Laser Treatment Center or book an appointment online.
Atrial Fibrilation Q & A
What is atrial fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation involves an irregular and typically rapid heart rate. When atrial fibrillation occurs, the two upper chambers of the heart become out-of-sync with the lower chambers and beat with an abnormal rhythm and pace.
A serious, though rarely life-threatening condition, atrial fibrillation can increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other cardiovascular complications. Atrial fibrillation can occur in episodes, but when it doesn’t go away, or you have frequent episodes, you may need evaluation and treatment.
What causes atrial fibrillation?
Stimulants like caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, and some medications can cause atrial fibrillation. A wide variety of conditions can also increase your risk of atrial fibrillation, including:
- High blood pressure
- Heart attack
- Coronary artery disease
- Abnormal heart valves
- Congenital heart defects
- Thyroid disorders
- Pulmonary conditions
- Viral infections
- Sleep apnea
Sometimes, atrial fibrillation doesn’t have an apparent cause. This is known as lone atrial fibrillation.
Does atrial fibrillation have other symptoms?
Symptoms of atrial fibrillation include:
- Palpitations
- Exercise intolerance
- Fatigue
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
Some patients with atrial fibrillations don’t have symptoms; they may not even realize that they have the condition.
What’s the method for diagnosing atrial fibrillation?
When you see Dr. Taghizadeh at San Diego Cardiac, Vein & Laser Treatment Center for evaluation, he reviews your medical history and discusses your symptoms with you. He also performs a physical examination.
Dr. Taghizadeh may order diagnostic cardiovascular imaging, such as an echocardiogram. Performed in-office, these scans evaluate your heart rate and rhythm using state-of-the-art echocardiography equipment.
Which treatments can address atrial fibrillation?
As an interventional cardiologist, Dr. Taghizadeh has extensive experience providing both primary and secondary care for heart-related conditions. Depending on your health history and other individual factors, he may recommend resetting your heart rhythm, either with medication or a safe procedure called electrical cardioversion. Electrical cardioversion uses an electric current to briefly and temporarily stop your heart’s electrical activity; a regular heart rate usually resumes after this short pause.
You may also work with Dr. Taghizadeh to develop an ongoing plan to manage your atrial fibrillation with medication.
If you experience a racing or abnormal heart rate, don’t wait to seek help from an experienced cardiovascular physician. Call San Diego Cardiac, Vein & Laser Treatment Center today or make an appointment online.
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