Getting the right care can help prevent heart failure
Because AFib affects how your heart pumps blood through your body, it increases your risk for stroke and congestive heart failure. Congestive heart failure is a chronic condition that gets worse over time. Getting treatment sooner may help slow the progression and relieve symptoms. Cardiologists at Ascension Sacred Heart Bay are part of a national team of doctors who share best practices and collaborate on advanced treatment options.
These may include:
- Cardiac resynchronization technology (CRT)
- Cardioversion
- Heart ablation to treat AFib, atrial flutter, atrial tachycardia, premature ventricular contraction (PVC), ventricular tachycardia (VT) and atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT)
- Implantable cardiac monitor (loop recorder)
- Implantable cardiac defibrillator, including single chamber, dual chamber and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)
- Lead extraction (removal of damaged or infected heart device leads)
- Pacemaker, including single chamber, dual chamber and cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)
- Patent foramen ovale (PFO) and atrial septal defect (ASD) closure
Sometimes, structural or heart valve damage can cause AFib. If surgery is recommended as part of your care plan, your doctor will use minimally invasive options whenever possible. Our heart surgeons specialize in minimally invasive surgical techniques to help repair your heart valve, including ablation and the WATCHMAN™ device. During a minimally invasive procedure, tiny incisions are made. Minimally invasive surgery may shorten your recovery time and lower your risk of infection.
If you have AFib, you may be at risk for developing blood clots. These clots can travel through your arteries to your brain and cause a stroke. If AFib is not caused by valve damage or disease, your cardiologist and electrophysiologist may recommend the WATCHMAN device to help close off your left atrial appendage (LAA). When implanted, the quarter-sized device acts as a barrier to prevent blood clots from leaving your LAA and entering the bloodstream.



Get peace of mind with a second opinion about your AFib diagnosis or care plan
When you are facing a new diagnosis or deciding on a surgical or therapeutic treatment plan, there’s a lot to think about. At Ascension Sacred Heart Bay, we make it easy for you to get a second opinion. Our specialists and care team can:
- Review your medical records and healthcare history
- Answer questions
- Discuss options for restoring or correcting your heart’s rhythm
- Connect you to heart and vascular specialists for minimally invasive surgery, including WATCHMAN and ablation
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 they can be shared with your care team before your arrival.
AFib care team at Ascension Sacred Heart Bay
Nghia Hoang, DO
Cardiac Electrophysiology, Cardiology
Saeed Khaja, DO
Cardiac Electrophysiology, Cardiology
Heart care that focuses on the whole you
At Ascension Sacred Heart Bay, your care team supports you before, during and after an AFib procedure. Every appointment with your doctor starts with a conversation about new symptoms, concerns or questions. We’ll connect you with cardiac rehab, help you manage your medications and monitor your heart health over time. If your condition is complex, your doctor will collaborate with a multispecialty team so you receive the comprehensive heart care you need.
Frequently asked questions about AFib