Atrial fibrillation / Heart flutter

With a normal heart rhythm, the atria (upper chambers) and ventricles (lower chambers) work as a team, contracting and relaxing to move blood to the lungs and into the body.

Atrial fibrillation is a condition in which the electrical impulses of the heart lose their regular pattern. The heart rhythm (pattern of heart beat) becomes erratic, and often the heart beats too fast. This irregularity means that the heart does not pump a normal amount of blood out of the atrium, causing the blood that is left behind to pool and form clots. Untreated atrial fibrillation can lead to a heart failure and increases the risk of stroke.

So what is the good news? Atrial fibrillation can be controlled. With medical guidance, you can lead a normal, active life. Through new procedures, medications and technologies, atrial fibrillation is easier to manage than ever before.

• Racing, irregular heartbeat
• Flopping sensation in the chest
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness, dizziness or fainting
• Chest discomfort or pain, especially when the heart is beating fast.

Were you surprised you were diagnosed with atrial fibrillation? Some people never feel any symptoms. Even if you do not experience symptoms, it is important to understand your condition.

• Prevent blood clots to reduce stroke risk
• Restore normal heart rhythm
• Control heart rate-allow the heart to beat at a normal rate to prevent heart failure
• Uncover underlying causes (thyroid disease, electrolyte imbalances or blocked heart arteries)
• Treat adjustable risk factors-sleep apnea, hypertension, weight management, stimulant consumption (eliminate or limit caffeine and alcohol)

With the state-of-the-art equipment and technology at the Fred & Lena Meijer Heart Center, you are in the best place to access the latest treatments for atrial fibrillation. What truly sets us apart is the way we care for you. Spectrum Health electrophysiologists not only work together to come up with the best care plans for our patients, but also to deliver the best patient experience possible.

For example, when we implant pacemakers, we safely and effectively let patients go home the same day, rather than spending a night in the hospital. The next day, the patient's device is checked remotely via the Internet. This keeps costs down, has proven to be just as safe, and it makes patients happier to be home in the comfort of their own beds. No other comparable electrophysiology program in the nation is able to do this like Spectrum Health.