Diagnosing Atrial Fibrillation
No one wants to be diagnosed with a heart condition. So actively seeking a diagnosis for atrial fibrillation may seem extreme, especially if your symptoms aren't really debilitating. Except when you consider this: the sooner patients with afib are diagnosed and seek surgical treatment; the more likely they are to be completely cured of this cardiac arrhythmia.
If you experience heart palpitations, fluttering or rapid heart beats, and you are concerned that you may have atrial fibrillation or another heart condition, contact your general practitioner or your primary care physician. If you are diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, know that you have options. Dr. David Affleck of Western Cardiovascular Associates is a pioneer in the mini-maze minimally invasive closed chest surgical procedure that cures afib in more than 90% of his patients. Whether you live in Salt Lake City, Ogden, or Utah Valley, or anywhere in the country, contact Western Cardiovascular Associates online or call us at 801-743-4750 to find out about your surgical options today.
Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms
Not everyone who has afib has symptoms, which often causes atrial fibrillation to go undetected for a long period of time. Approximately 1-2% of the nation's population under 65 has atrial fibrillation. More than 5% of the population over 65 has it. The most common symptoms are:
- Heart palpitations/rapid heart beat/heart flutter
- Shortness or loss of breath
- Dizziness
- Faintness
- Fatigue
- Exhaustion
These symptoms are not only unique to AF and can be symptoms of another cardiac condition. Informing your general practitioner or primary care physician of any heart related symptoms as soon as possible is highly recommended.
Start With Your Pulse
Because atrial fibrillation is often asymptomatic, the American Stroke Association recommends checking your pulse on a regular basis. You can check your pulse at the wrist or at the neck. If you experience an erratic, irregular or fast pulse, consult your doctor. An erratic pulse will have an inconsistent rhythm, and you may feel a difference in the strength of subsequent pulses. You may also want to keep a log or journal of the dates and times that you experience an inconsistent pulse to help your doctor understand the nature of your condition.
Electrocardiography
Atrial fibrillation is most accurately diagnosed and documented with a non-invasive diagnostic electrocardiogram, also known as an EKG or ECG. Electrocardiography documents the heart's cardiac conduction cycle by measuring the wavelengths of each electrical impulse.
ECG waves have three parts, each representing the electrical activity in a specific part of the heart:
- P wave The electrical activity in the atria
- QRS wave The electrical activity in the ventricles
- T wave The return to rest
Atrial fibrillation wavelengths often show an indistinct, rapid or oscillating P wave. QRS waves tend to be normal, but can be of an irregular shape, size or consistency if a supraventricular tachycardia is also present.
Electrocardiograms that are performed in an emergency room or cardiologist's office do not always return a positive reading for atrial fibrillation because the arrhythmia must be occurring while the ECG is being taken. In cases where an ECG reading does not document an occurrence of afib, your doctor my prescribe the use of a mobile monitor that can be used for up to 30 days to get the most accurate documentation of your heart's electrical activity.
Dr. Affleck may also use a LifeWatch 30 day ambulatory monitor to determine your freedom from atrial fibrillation after your recovery from your mini-maze surgical procedure.
If you've been diagnosed with afib, and you are looking for a cure, pursue your surgical options. Contact Western Cardiovascular Associates online or call us at 801-743-4750 today.