Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

AFib is the most common heart rhythm problem. Millions of people in the United States have it, and it becomes much more common after age 65.

• Paroxysmal AFib: comes and goes on its own, usually within a week.
• Persistent AFib: lasts more than a week and usually needs treatment to restore a normal rhythm.
• Long-standing persistent AFib: lasts more than a year.
• Permanent AFib: you and your care team decide not to keep trying to restore normal rhythm, and focus on rate control and stroke prevention.
• Atrial flutter is a related rhythm problem with similar risks and treatments.

• Getting older
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease, heart failure or heart valve problems
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Obesity and diabetes
• Heavy alcohol use or binge drinking
• An overactive thyroid
• Lung disease, recent surgery, serious infection, or stimulants

Some people feel nothing. Others notice:

• A fluttering, racing, pounding or irregular heartbeat
• Feeling tired or weak
• Shortness of breath, especially with activity
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Chest discomfort
• At your visit, your provider checks your pulse (often irregular), blood pressure and oxygen level, listens to your heart and lungs, and looks for swelling or signs of heart failure or thyroid problems.

AFib is confirmed with an ECG (heart tracing), which we do in our office. If it comes and goes, you may wear a heart monitor (Holter or patch) for a day to several weeks; we refer you to a cardiology partner for this. Some smartwatches can alert you to a possible irregular rhythm, but a medical test is needed to confirm it.

Lab tests your provider may order include: thyroid tests (TSH), a basic or comprehensive metabolic panel (kidney function, potassium and magnesium), a complete blood count (CBC), and sometimes a lipid panel and A1C. Kidney and blood counts also help choose a safe blood thinner dose.

An echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) checks the heart's structure and valves. We don't do imaging at our office; we refer you to a trusted cardiology partner or outside center and review the results with you.

These tools are used by clinicians. Bring your results to your visit; they don't replace a medical evaluation.

• CHA₂DS₂-VASc Score ↗ (opens in a new tab)Estimates stroke risk in AFib to help decide whether a blood thinner is recommended.
• HAS-BLED Score ↗ (opens in a new tab)Estimates the chance of major bleeding on a blood thinner, to help spot risks that can be reduced.

AFib treatment usually has three goals: prevent stroke, control the heart rate, and ease symptoms.

• Stroke prevention: many people need a blood thinner (anticoagulant). Your care team weighs your stroke risk against your bleeding risk to decide. Take it exactly as prescribed and don't stop it without talking with your provider.
• Rate control: medicines such as beta blockers slow the heartbeat.
• Rhythm control: some people use medicines, a procedure to reset the rhythm (cardioversion), or catheter ablation by a heart rhythm specialist.
• Treating triggers and related conditions: blood pressure, sleep apnea, weight, thyroid, and cutting back on alcohol.
• Regular activity and a heart-healthy lifestyle.
• Tell every doctor and dentist that you take a blood thinner.

AFib is often a long-term condition and may come and go or become more constant over time.

With treatment, many people control their symptoms and lower their chance of stroke. Treatment can't remove all risk, and your plan may change over time.

Your primary care team at Moaddel Medical does your ECG in the office, orders lab tests, checks your stroke and bleeding risk with you, and helps you take blood thinners safely.

We treat related conditions like high blood pressure and sleep apnea and coordinate with a cardiology or heart rhythm partner for monitors, cardioversion or ablation.

We're at 7230 Medical Center Dr, Suite 100, West Hills, CA 91307.