National Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Awareness Month

September is National Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Awareness Month

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) is a serious condition that affects your heart rhythm and causes it to beat irregularly. When a heart is in AFib, it may not pump enough oxygen-rich blood out to the body, which can cause symptoms such as:

• General fatigue
• A rapid and irregular heartbeat
• Fluttering or "thumping" in the chest
• Dizziness
• Shortness of breath and anxiety
• Weakness
• Faintness or confusion
• Fatigue when exercising
• Sweating

This irregular heartbeat can manifest in different ways, including beating too fast, switching between fast and slow rhythms, or skipping beats.

Patients have described AFib as feeling like drums pounding, thunder rumbling, or fish flopping in their chest. Although AFib affects millions of people, there are several different types of this condition, and some can be life-threatening. AFib also increases the chances of stroke.

In patients diagnosed with non-valvular AFib, treatment with the Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC), using the Watchman Device may reduce the chances of stroke.

If you are experiencing symptoms of AFib or have been diagnosed with non-valvular AFib and would like more information on whether the Watchman Device is right for you, visit www.northoaks.org/hearthealth or call (985) 230-2778.

North Oaks Cardiovascular Institute is committed to improving our patient population's lives by providing cutting-edge treatment and advanced heart healthcare.

For more information, please visit www.northoaks.org/hearthealth.