Office Hours
Practice office hours are from 8:00am to 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. You may schedule your appointment by calling (719)471-9942.
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| What is Atrial Fibrillation? | |
Atrial Fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm, or arrhythmia, that involves the upper chambers of the heart (atria). Atrial fibrillation causes irregular and usually rapid beating of the heart.
Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia for which patients seek medical attention. With proper care, most people with atrial fibrillation can continue to lead normal, active lives.
Common Symptoms:
Common symptoms include palpitations, or the pounding/fluttering sensation in the chest.
Some other symptoms are: fatigue, dizziness, fainting spells, shortness of breath, and chest pain. |
| Understanding Atrial Fibrillation | |
During a normal heart beat the atria contract first squeezing blood into the ventricles, then the ventricles contract, pumping blood into the body.
In atrial fibrillation different areas within the atria try to initiate a heartbeat creating multiple waves of electrical activity. These waves travel over the atria, constantly changing in manner, which then cause the atria to fibrillate or quiver.
Possible causes:
Atrial fibrillation can be caused by heart disease (especially coronary heart disease), high blood pressure, heart valve disease, weakened heart, lung disease, recent heart/lung surgery, or overactive thyroid gland.
Some other causes could be: excess caffeine, stimulant drugs, tobacco use, or excess alcohol.
In some cases patients are known to have lone atrial fibrillation, where there is no cause for a-fib.
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