Young Pensacola paramedic treated for AFib

At just 24 years old, Christopher S. never imagined his heart would be the reason he would end up in the hospital. A paramedic in Pensacola, Christopher was used to caring for others, not becoming the patient himself.

His emergency began suddenly, as Christopher noticed his heart racing a lot faster than his normal rate. At first, he believed anxiety was the cause. When the symptoms did not ease, Christopher went straight to Ascension Sacred Heart Emergency Room, where care teams confirmed he had AFib, a heart rhythm disorder in which the heart beats irregularly and often too fast. In Christopher’s case, it occurred with rapid ventricular response (RVR), meaning the lower chambers of his heart were beating extremely fast.

The care team acted quickly. They started Christopher on medication to control his heart rhythm and monitored him closely. After his heart returned to a normal rhythm, Christopher knew this diagnosis was something he needed to take seriously.

That is when Christopher began receiving care from Dr. Asim Ahmed, a board-certified electrophysiologist specializing in diagnosing and treating heart rhythm disorders.

“What made Christopher’s case unusual is that atrial fibrillation (AFib) is very uncommon in someone his age,” said Dr. Ahmed. “Our priority was to stabilize his heart rhythm, identify the cause, and make sure he received the right care as quickly and safely as possible.”

From the beginning, Christopher said he felt heard and supported.

“Dr. Ahmed took the time to explain everything in a way I could understand,” Christopher shared. “He made sure I knew what was happening and invited me to be part of the decision-making process.”

Dr. Ahmed developed a personalized treatment plan that balanced medication management with long-term strategies to protect Christopher’s heart health. Through comprehensive care, Dr. Ahmed guided Christopher through his diagnosis, treatment options, and lifestyle changes with both expertise and compassion.

With Dr. Ahmed’s support, Christopher made meaningful changes to his daily life. Over time, he lost more than 60 pounds and adopted healthier habits focused on long-term wellness.

Experiencing heart disease from the patient perspective also changed Christopher in a deeper way. After watching his father survive cardiac arrest when he was a teenager, healthcare had always felt personal. Now, living with AFib himself helps him connect more deeply with the patients he serves as a paramedic, especially when reassuring them that while AFib is serious, it can be managed with proper care.

Today, Christopher remains focused on protecting his health and raising awareness during Heart Month that heart conditions can affect people at any age. He hopes young adults will take their symptoms seriously and seek care early.

“I’m grateful to have a doctor like Dr. Ahmed,” Christopher said. “Knowing I have someone who truly cares has made all the difference.”

When you choose Ascension Sacred Heart Cardiovascular Specialists in Pensacola, Florida, for your heart and vascular care, you benefit from a team of experts trained in the latest therapeutics and surgical options to help prevent, diagnose, manage, and treat heart and vascular diseases. As a nationally ranked Top 50 heart hospital, we partner with you to create a personalized heart care plan tailored to your needs.

Learn more about Dr. Ahmed and discover the treatment options that may be right for you.