Atrial Fibrillation
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James Kim, MD
Cardiologist & Board Certified in Cardiovascular Diseases located in National City, CA & Chula Vista, CA
Nearly 2.7 million Americans are living with atrial fibrillation, with many not understanding the danger of their condition. At his practice in National City and Chula Vista, California, James Kim, MD, offers comprehensive care for atrial fibrillation. He creates custom treatment plans to pinpoint the cause and prevent the condition from worsening. Dr. Kim also offers the most advanced ablation techniques to take care of atrial fibrillation. If you’re experiencing a quivering or irregular heartbeat, don’t delay treatment. Call the office to schedule a consultation or book your appointment through the online booking system today.
Atrial Fibrillation Q & A
What is atrial fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation, also known as A-Fib, is a condition that causes an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia. In a healthy heart, the muscle contracts and relaxes in a regular rhythm.
With atrial fibrillation, the upper chambers of your heart beat abnormally, reducing the amount of blood pumping into the lower chambers. This irregular rhythm results from a dysfunction in electrical impulses in the heart.
As a side effect of this irregular beat, blood clots can form. These clots can break off and enter your bloodstream. If the clot obstructs blood flow to your brain, you can experience a stroke. Atrial fibrillation can also lead to life-threatening health issues, including heart failure and stroke.
What are the risk factors for atrial fibrillation?
People of any age can develop atrial fibrillation, although your risk increases as you get older. You may also be at risk for an irregular heartbeat if close members of your family have the condition.
Other risk factors for atrial fibrillation include:
- Sleep apnea
- Heart disease
- Thyroid disorder
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Excessive alcohol consumption
Athletes may be at particularly high risk of developing atrial fibrillation due to frequent rapid heart rate during strenuous activity.
What are the symptoms of atrial fibrillation?
In some cases, those with atrial fibrillation experience no symptoms until Dr. Kim identifies it during an exam. However, symptoms of atrial fibrillation can also become significant, causing you to seek immediate medical treatment.
Symptoms of atrial fibrillation include:
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Sweating
- Chronic fatigue
- Rapid heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Fluttering or thumping sensations in your chest
If you experience sudden or intense pain or pressure in your chest, go to the emergency room or call 911 immediately.
What treatments are available for atrial fibrillation?
Dr. Kim performs a comprehensive evaluation to confirm you have atrial fibrillation. He then creates a personalized treatment plan to treat atrial fibrillation and prevent complications, like a stroke or heart failure.
Some patients are candidates for a procedure called atrial fibrillation ablation which can prevent recurrence of atrial fibrillation, improve quality of life, reduce the risk of heart failure and reduce the chance of visiting the emergency room for atrial fibrillation.
Dr. Kim continues to monitor your condition, working closely with you to alleviate symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Learn more about treatment options available for atrial fibrillation today by scheduling a consultation at the office of James Kim, MD, online or by phone today.
