A heart that flutters may be a sign of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Talk with a doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms. Cardiologists who specialize in the evaluation and treatment of heart rhythm problems, called cardiac electrophysiologists, deliver diagnosis and personalized care for heart rhythm disorders.
Diagnostic tests help your doctor understand why your heart is racing or flutters. Left untreated, heart rhythm disorders can weaken your heart muscle or form a blood clot inside your heart. That’s why having AFib is a risk factor for stroke and heart failure. Blood thinners are often part of a care plan to help reduce your risk for stroke. The use of pacemakers and defibrillators can help manage other severe heart rhythm problems. And our doctors specialize in cardiac ablation to treat AFib.
Your doctor starts by listening to better understand you and your health. Then, we work with you to create a personalized care plan that’s right for you and may include:
- Blood-thinners to help reduce the risk of stroke
- Ablation, a non-surgical procedure to help correct a rapid, irregular heartbeat
- Device implants to help reduce stroke risk
Symptoms of atrial fibrillation may be subtle
If you have AFib, you may not experience any symptoms. Some symptoms of AFib include:
- Irregular heart beat
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fluttering in your chest
- Fast heart beat
- Feeling out of breath with exercise or activity
- Feeling weak and tired
- Chest pain or discomfort*
*Chest pain or stroke symptoms are a medical emergency. At our hospitals, we provide 24/7 emergency care for your heart or for stroke. If you are experiencing a heart or stroke emergency, call 911 and go to the nearest ER.
Get a second opinion for your AFib diagnosis or care plan
Get the confidence and peace of mind that your doctor and cardiovascular care plan for AFib are right for you. It's easy to get a second opinion at Ascension sites of care. We can review your medical records and healthcare history to answer your questions and discuss options for restoring or correcting your heart’s rhythm. Talk with one of our doctors about a personalized heart care plan.
When you are facing a new AFib diagnosis or are deciding on a surgical or therapeutic treatment plan such as medications or ablation, there’s a lot to think about. Our heart specialists can provide a second opinion, based on our experience and as part of a national care team.
Before your appointment, check with your insurance company to find out if a second opinion is covered. We can request your medical records on your behalf, so that they can be shared with your care team before your arrival.
Financial assistance and support is available
We can connect you with resources and programs that may be able to help you and your family with options for financial assistance. Our financial counseling team is here to listen to your concerns and work with you to help find options that meet your needs.
If you are experiencing chest pain, especially in combination with jaw or arm pain, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting or difficulty breathing, you might be having a heart attack. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.
