Atrial Fibrillation

If your heart often beats too fast and you feel dizzy or fatigued, you may have atrial fibrillation. At the office of Dr. Sandeep Singh, MD, diagnostic tests are available to evaluate your heart rhythm and identify atrial fibrillation in the earliest stage. Dr. Singh and the cardiology team tailor a care plan to your needs and use medications and other treatment strategies to stabilize your heart’s rhythm. They also offer preventive resources to support your long-term heart health. Call the office in Mesquite or Greenville, Texas, to schedule a consultation for atrial fibrillation or book an appointment online today. 

What is atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) describes an irregular, typically fast heart rhythm that occurs when the upper chambers of your heart (atria) beat chaotically and out of sync with the lower heart chambers (ventricles).

Structural issues in the heart are a common cause of atrial fibrillation. You may also be at increased risk of AFib symptoms if you have conditions like:

• Thyroid disease
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Coronary artery disease (CAD)
• High blood pressure (hypertension)

Without proper management, atrial fibrillation can lead to life-threatening issues like blood clots, heart failure, and stroke.

The office of Dr. Sandeep Singh, MD, performs cardiovascular tests on-site to identify the cause of atrial fibrillation. The experienced cardiology team creates a treatment plan to stabilize your heart’s rhythm and reduce your risk of stroke and other complications.

Does atrial fibrillation cause symptoms?

Atrial fibrillation can cause occasional symptoms when your heartbeat is erratic that may become persistent and interfere with your ability to be active. You can also have atrial fibrillation without experiencing any unusual symptoms.

Schedule a diagnostic evaluation at the office of Dr. Sandeep Singh, MD, if you experience:

• Dizziness
• Chest pain
• Heart palpitations
• Shortness of breath
• Persistent tiredness

Your provider reviews your medical history and completes a physical exam. They can order diagnostic tests like an electrocardiogram (EKG) to check your heart’s electrical activity or an echocardiogram to assess the structures of your heart.

Will I need medications to treat atrial fibrillation?

Medications are a common treatment option for atrial fibrillation. The office of Dr. Sandeep Singh, MD, may recommend beta blockers to slow a chaotic heart rate or blood thinners to prevent blood clots.

Another option, electrical cardioversion therapy, involves shocking your heart with electrical currents to reset its rhythm. The team also offers chemical cardioversion therapy that uses medications to control your heart rate without electric shocks.

You might also need cardiac ablation, a procedure to create small scars in your heart. The scars disrupt irregular signals in the heart to improve its rhythm.

The cardiology team can also recommend diet improvements, smoking cessation programs, stress reduction techniques, and daily exercises to improve your overall heart health.

Call the office of Dr. Sandeep Singh, MD, near you to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for atrial fibrillation symptoms, or book an appointment online today.