What Is Atrial Fibrillation (A Fib)? Everything You Need To Know
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- čas přidán 2. 08. 2024
- In this episode, guest Cardiologist Dr. Mike Heffernan discusses atrial fibrillation. He explains the symptoms, signs, special tests, and treatment including rate control with beta blockers and calcium channel blockers and anticoagulation with medications like warfarin, Eliquis, pradaxa or Xarelto.
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The general information provided on the Video is for informational purposes only and is not professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or care, nor is it intended to be a substitute therefore. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider properly licensed to practise medicine or general healthcare in your jurisdiction concerning any questions you may have regarding any information obtained from this Video and any medical condition you believe may be relevant to you or to someone else. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Video. Always consult with your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before embarking on a new treatment, diet, or fitness program. Information obtained on the Video is not exhaustive and does not cover all diseases, ailments, physical conditions, or their treatment.
My Samsung watch saved me. I couldn't lie down for a week and slept in a chair for a week. Ran the ekg on my watch and it warned ⚠️ to go to hospital. Saved my life. Thank God
Wow that is great. Hope you are ok. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Same thing happened to me.
I had the same experience with my Apple Watch in the middle of the night.
By far this is the best channel related to health talks that exists. A side from the fact that we are always greeted by the smile of Dr Brad :) and great humor of both Dr Paul and Dr Bard, each topic is shared with respect, simple terms making it easier for us to understand. Knowing means that may be preventable and you gentlemen are a great part of the knowing part. Thank you Dr Mike for teaching us about AF. And, thank you Chantal from high school - we all have Dr Paul now because he excelled in biology and you might have helped without knowing :)
You are so very welcome Carolina. Thanks for watching and subscribing
As always another great topic! About 5 yrs ago, had to go to emerg. My heart was racing like crazy. Nurse came flying out from behind her desk, puts me in a wheelchair, rushes me through the doors and onto a bed. Nurse gives me an injection to slow the heart down, didn’t work. All of a sudden all these docs, nurses come in and say, ‘we have to stop your heart & restart it’. Omg, that had to be the scariest moment of my life. But, I’m still here 🙏. Be safe docs ❤️
Glad you are ok Anita! Thanks for sharing your story. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I have just been diagnosed with AF, I’ve just turned 60 and I’m devastated but your video has helped me so much. Thank you❤️
This is one of the best videos you’ve done so far. The Q and A format works so well and Dr. Weening’s facial expressions are priceless. You are a great team. Thanks so much.
Glad you liked it LibbyAnn. Doing our very best. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Hey there from NZ gents, being a newbie to AF having just had two events over the last two weeks, this clip reinforced all the salient points of the condition provided by the wonderful ambo Paras/ED/Cardio teams here in CHC. Your light hearted style along with the graphics in this clip make it a great one to share with family and friends who have queried exactly what it is I'm suffering from. So, thanks for taking the time and effort to put together what for me is a rather timely presentation.
You are very welcome Brent. Hope things go ok for you. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Thank you for such a concise explanation. I was dx’d with paroxysmal AF 35 years ago and have now progressed into permanent AF. You make an important fact about sleep apnea. Getting mine treated did nothing for the AF, but has so many other health benefits, it’s been well worth the aggravation of learning to sleep with a cpap machine.
For sure Brenda. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Excellent video, as always. I have A-Fi, which is how and why I originally found this channel. I am subscribed and so glad these two doctors and their guests, take the time and trouble to reach so many people looking for knowledge. Dr. Christopher Franco, the cardiologist that treated me in Victoria, provided me with essentially this same discussion. He is perhaps the best physician from whom I have received treatment. Comprehensive, unhurried and exceptionally informative, he explained my condition and treatment so I could understand it. And yes, I have accepted that I am to be on those medications for life - always play the odds.
You guys are so great and informative. What a great service you're doing to make information understandable to people and potentially saving lives. You're the best channel!
Thank you so much Joan! Doing our best. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Fascinating information ! ❤
Thank you ! Sounds similar to tests my Dad has had done. He has had a pacemaker for almost 30 years. He's now 92 !
Wow Michelle. Glad he is ok. Thanks for watching and subscribing
This is packed full of information. Do I ever thank you as I have AF and I didn't know all of these details. ♥️
Glad we could help Ana. Thanks for watching and subscribing
You are the best, from a 67 yr old in South Africa
Thank you all 3 doctors. I went into afib while in a medical building getting a Nacala shot for my asthma. Nurse I was in afib. Called me rescue and brought me around the block to a emergency room
I was beating 170 and did not feel a thing. I am now on a heart ♥️ monitor for 4 weeks and will let cardiologist decide my next step. Feeling good at 72 years old Just a bump in the road. Thanks again for your full explanation.
You are very welcome Chuck. Hope you are ok. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I appreciated this video and yes, I did pause many times to make notes! I am a 73 year old woman who was diagnosed 3 years ago with afib, heart failure and sleep apnea. I am on several medications which have made a huge improvement to my quality of life. Thank you pharmacare! I have also received excellent care from my nurse practitioner and cardiologist. I did have an ablation two years ago which made a huge difference but it stopped working. I am due for a 2nd one in March. For me the biggest hurdle has been to not be too anxious about it. And to do my best with my doctors to stay as healthy as I can. Exercise, good food, very limited (in my case none) alcohol and decaf coffee. And GRATITUDE. I love your videos and that you end each one with the reminder that we are in charge of our own health. All the best. cheers
Great info! I've been watching your channel a while so appreciate this info. I ended up in hospital recently with Atrial Flutter. It took them a couple days to slow down my heart but docs never explained much to me other than wanting to do ablation. I learned so much here than my docs have told me. Thanks!
Glad we could help Jim. Hope you are ok now.
Great info! Living with a husband with controlled AFib, great to listen to this video. Thank you.
Glad you liked it Diane. Thanks for watching and subscribing
What a great video. Thank you! I have Afib and high BP, and I'm doing everything you discussed to control it. We had to lower my Thyroid number first, which took time, but we finally hit the level that works for me. Having the right cardiologist makes all the difference. So, if you aren't happy with the first one, keep looking.
Glad you are ok I. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Great job. Thanks for keeping us informed ☺️
Very welcome Monica. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Answered my questions since a fib diagnosis. Thank you, I have learned more from you guys than I did in the hospital.......Thank you again.....especially about the blood thinners.
Very welcome
Great group of docs, easy to listen to, entertaining great information about A Fib
Glad you enjoyed it
Thank you! This video was very helpful. I had Covid last November and was left with a few resulting conditions. One being A-fib. Your information is reassuring. ❤️🙏🏽
Hope you are ok Nancy. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Thank you do doctors. Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪♥️. Am doing a 3 years training as a Professional nurse in the Nursing home department for the elderly and we currently have browsed through this Topic. The explanation here was very helpful.
That is great Dorothy! Thanks for watching and subscribing
Excellent video! We have a few friends with A Fib and this helped me no understand their situations better. And, as always, you’ve provided important health information! Thanks😊
great video, thank you all !
Very welcome Jay. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Thanks so much for this video. It was VERY informative (as most of your videos are.) I was recently diagnosed with A Fib and looking back, have probably been in constant A Fib for about a year and a half. Since mine was constant, I had ablation about a month ago. I'm feeling much better & it's wonderful to hear another opinion on all of this. They discovered I have sleep apnea...so there you go! Hand in hand. Thanks for all your informative videos & the light hearted manner in which they're done.
Excellent video, great information! Thanks for sharing. 😊
Glad you liked it Terri. Thanks for watching and subscribing
You guys are awesome ! You all have the best medical videos on CZcams . No big fluff cut to the chase videos. Y ' all put everything in layman terms . And the best guest docs to. Y'all put me at ease when I think I have something wrong. I go to the doctor so much Unithed Health Care has my picture on the post office wall with the 10 most wanted lol y'all have a great weekend !!!
That’s funny Kubota. Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching and subscribing
This video is very helpful. Thank you, this is a great series!!!
So glad you liked it Jim! Thanks for watching and subscribing
Brilliant thank you for all the informations very very educational . Grand Merci for taking the time .
De rien Josy. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I had ablation surgery in 2015. I also also use a sleep machine and monitor my heart with a KARDIA device. The surgery and sleep machine saved my life. Thanks for all the good information.
You are very welcome Ken. Glad you are ok
Great video. Excellent presentation by the three of you. Thank you.
Very welcome RHM. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Great video and very informative! I love this cardiologist Dr. Mike H explaining every detail about the heart health! Thanks again docs!😍
He is awesome Alida. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Man I love you guys! Your channel has inspired and informed me. From hip replacement to AFib and beyond the information helps and I hope you know that. Thanks
Thanks for taking the time to say that Jim. Means a lot. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Another keeper!! After watching the Heart Failure video, I decided to binge watch Dr Heffernan's other co-starring roles. Excellent information that separates "heart problems" into understandable subsets.
Dr Weening looks like he hasn't had his beet root and garlic smoothie yet!
Ha Candis!! Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Thank you docs!! All 3 of you 💕💕
Very welcome Tory. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I developed AFib three years ago and was hospitalized for three days. A few months later I had ablation surgery done. I also have hypertrophic cardiomyopothy. I know that stress can really affect how I feel, so I have worked hard to try to eliminate stress and worry. I still work part time, but sold my home and moved to an apartment so as not to have to do snow removal, etc. Hated Warfarin, but Eliquis, although expensive, is a much better solution for me. Thanks for another great, informative video!
Glad you are ok Susan!! Thanks for watching and subscribing
Great information as always. Your guest doctor was very clear on all points of afib.
He sure was Barbara. Thanks for watching and subscribing
So much vital info 👩🏼🏫 thanks Docs ❤️❤️❤️
Very welcome Juliet. Thanks for watching and subscribing
A Fib lives in my house and this information brought me clarity! Thanks.
Glad we could help Linda. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Thanks so much for what you do. So informative
You are very welcome Arizona. Glad that you liked it. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Thank you for this video! VERY pertinent to our family these days. Hopefully everyone takes you seriously when you say it is IMPERATIVE to take the meds, and the dire risks of stroke and death if not.
Yes Melissa. Some people think it’s optional which it is not. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Great information Doc's.
Glad you liked it Marge. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I now finally know what all those drug company commercials are talking about as they annoy the heck out of you! Thanks!
Hi Dino. Now you know! Thanks for watching and subscribing
Outstanding video. Answered my questions since my a fib diagnosis. Thank you. I’ve been fighting being on blood thinners for the rest of my life. Now I understand I must.
Glad we could help Elaine
Thanks for the information/explanation.
Very welcome Carl. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Excellent information. I didn't know anything about this before.
Now you know Gina! Thanks for watching and subscribing
another great video! I had ablation 2 years ago for SVT- no more SVT! Thanks again for the videos
Yay Michael no more SVT. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Very good presentation. Thank you.
Very welcome jfarinacci0329. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Amazing..so well described. I finally understand it better, thanks so much. Love you guys!
Thanks so much Jan!! Thanks for watching and subscribing
This was an excellent presentation, my husband had a fib and I actually had to fight to get him a pacemaker. He was on warfarin
And digoxin. Two of my sisters had to undergo cardio version by chemical iv intervention. Thanks as always 👍👍
Very welcome Kathleen. Hope all is well now. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I want to thank you for this very informative video. Prior to viewing the video I have been received messages from my Apple Watch that I was in AFib. I ignore them as just a false signal. After viewing the video I decided to contact my Doctor Who sent me for an electrocardiogram. I was then diagnosed as having AFib. I have been on blood thinners now for two days. These videos do really help bring awareness to potential health issues and I am very appreciative.
So glad we could help in any way Joseph. Glad you went to get some help. All the best. Thanks for watching and subscribing
This was such an informative video. I have been treated for Afib. For 9 years now and I see a heart specialist regularly but he never told me half this stuff. I have a better understanding of what is happening to my heart now. Thank you for the information. Now I need to watch the video on hypertension as my blood pressures hard to control.😊
Yes please keep watching!
A very informative video, thank you! 🫀
This was very interesting to me as I had one Afib episode for less than 8 hours. I didn’t feel a thing. I was put on a test study either aspirin or Apixaban.
Aside note, doctors should be more pleasant/ human with patients and this is one of the best medications for the welfare of patients. I say this because you guys come out in these videos as nice guys that patients can feel relax around. I hope you act like this when you are in your office seeing patients.
Hi Miguel. What you see is what you get from us. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Too late--I binged this video. Love your vids! Please keep them coming.
Thank you so much for your Channel Had a Cardioversion yesterday and your video help me very much As I was very Nervous your top drs
Very helpful! Much to my surprise, I was recently diagnosed with persistent atrial fibrillation. I have sleep apnea and hypertension, both long standing and sleep with a cpap. I'm now taking a blood thinner and have an appointment at the heart rhythm center of my local hospital to discuss cardioversion. This video really helped me to understand the mechanism of AF. Thank you for this one!
Very welcome J. Best of luck
Thank you Dear Doctors💙 all your videos & lifesaving help💙
Very welcome Elvish. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Thank you for this video. I experienced afib a couple of times and was surprised at the different treatments offered. The first time they gave me drug after drug. Nothing seemed to work and they shrugged their shoulders and let me go. I felt terrible for days until it finally converted. The next time they ended up electrically cardioverting me after about 24 hrs of the drugs not working again. That was a much better experience as I didn’t have to feel rotten for as long.
Glad you are ok Dave. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Great video. Very informative.
Amazing explanation…I now understand it! Thanks so much!
Glad to hear it Jan. Thanks for watching and subscribing
This was very timely. My knee replacement doctor discovered this in me. I guess I have it part time. Out of say 4 visits it was found 3 out of 4 times
He made an appointment with a cardiologist this coming Monday March 14.
I am sorta worried and sorta not. Great timing.
Hi Charles. Definitely get it sorted out before the knee. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Thanks Docs great information.
Very welcome Darlene. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I agree with Dr. Weening: This is a very informative video.
Why thank you James! Thanks for watching and subscribing
Great video thank you!
Very welcome Terrie. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Thanks for presenting!
Very welcome William. Thanks for watching and subscribing
So helpful....thank you! I had a total heart block and now have a pacemaker. Also on blood thinner Xarelto for a fib. Chock full of information video...learned so much! 👍
Nice Joan!! Thanks for watching and subscribing
Excellent, informative video
Glad you liked it Chad!! Thanks for watching and subscribing
Brilliant explanation. Ty 😊
Glad you liked it Ann! Thanks for watching and subscribing
Greatly appreciated. ❤
So glad!
excellent video, thanks
Very welcome Nora. Thanks for watching and subscribing
So good, thanks again! You guys are the best Docs! I like when you have Dr, H on. You guys are informative & also funny!
Thanks so much Mel!! Thanks for watching and subscribing
In a time of over-information and insecurities about the medical world, you 3 are very reassuring.
Doing our best Joanna. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Thank you so much! 💓
That’s an awesome explanation! now we know a little more and of course if something like this comes up we can discuss it with our doctor, thanks
Wet welcome Eliel. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Excellent video.
Glad you liked it Cindy. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Great docs. Thanks.
Very welcome FJP. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Awesome video. I was diagnosed 3 months ago when I asked my Dr to run tests on my heart & lungs as I was getting worse and worse shortness of breath.
Thanks to modern and not so recent testing I was diagnosed. The technician was a little a abrupt telling me that I could have a stroke or heart attack at any second. I was in shock for 3 days
I’ve been on 3 meds for over a month now. Blood thinners from day 1 when sent to ER
I’m now back walking and actually walking more steps per day each day. Hope to hit 10,000 in the next couple of weeks. Close to 7,000 now.I can go up stairs with much less huffing and puffing.
I’ve always had an irregular heartbeat. I do have sleep apnea and COPD. Yes, I was a smoker for 25 years.
I now test my blood pressure daily and it has come down to normal most of the time
I’ve cut salt intake, not that it was high before. I take magnesium at bedtime.
Hoping the walking and change of diet will help. ❤️🙏🦋
Great info!
Thanks Mustang Sally. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Awesome presentation guys....you may have just saved my life. I have afib with flutter due to high BP. Stopped and restarted my heart twice on December 24, 2021. What effect does sugar, low vitamins (like magnesium and potassium) and dehydration have on BP and afib? I am now taking 15 pills a day. 360 of Diltizam and 2 a day. My numbers are much better and was thinking about cutting out some of my meds that I hate taking. After this I will stay on them. I learned more from your post than anyone else.....THANK YOU......you saved my life.❤️🇺🇸🇨🇦
You are so welcome Linda. Always talk to your doctor about stopping medications. Best of luck to you! Thanks for watching and subscribing
Thank you for your videos. I too have been diagnosed with AFIB finally after about 20 years of being told I had panic attacks. In fact in now have a great heart doc who asked me to check for slelep apnea and in fact I had a severe
You should watch our sleep apnea video as they are related! Glad you found out the cause. Best of luck. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Great video
Glad you liked it D. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I was diagnosed with AFib and put on meds to manage it. It was not consistent coming and going periodically. About a year ago I developed Aflutter and the doctor performed a cardioversion. Since then everything is good. I did have a DVT event some months ago but it resolved itself. My cardiologist is great!
That’s awesome Jim. Hope you are ok now. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Helpful for me to understand my diagnosis of AFIB.
Very helpful! Thank you.
Glad you liked it Carol. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Thanks for these videos. I started medicine a million years ago but went off to fly instead, so I enjoy the science behind the symptoms. They also make me envious of the medical care you seem to have in Canada - it is hard to contrast any of it to the UK at the moment - in the public sector at least. Dr Heffernan's suggestions about discussing things with your family doctor, or going to the 'Emergency Room', have been remote possibilities in our local area during the last couple of years.
Anyway, I have been having bouts of what I now know to be AF, which had never been apparent by the time I got to see anyone
and which nobody seemed to want to believe. And in all of the consultations I have had, no-one ever even listened to my chest. I seem to remember doing that a lot in medical school.
The big break though came with getting a KardiaMobile device - not as continuous a monitor as a good smart watch but it is clinically recognised and I have managed to capture some pretty epic AF. So, at last, treatment is due to start with, probably beta blockers and anticoagulants, which due to my kidney function will probably be warfarin - but at least something is now being done. And I think this video spurred me on the keep pushing for more attention (without hopefully being too annoying!)
Anyway, these are well laid out and well presented topics, really well delivered with just the right amount of seriousness and humour.
Please keep up the great work.
Thanks so much Geoff. Glad you are getting treated and happy we could help in any small way. All the best to you. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Cardia Mobile is great!
thank you much for your awesome videos 🙏
You are so welcome NIMASHA. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Great Video. I was having AFIB Episodes every 2-3 months, over the last few years. I went to emergency a couple of times, and the last time they had to do Cardioversion. The AFIB was painful. My head was hurting so bad and it felt like my head was being pulled off of my shoulders.
I had an angiogram done and no blockade found in my arteries. A nuclear stress test showed that the bottom of my heart was not moving and not getting enough blood flow, plus other things tested as well. Long story short, the Doctor chalked it up to me having severe sleep apnea, but no clear diagnosis was really given, nor was any further testing done. I had RNY Weight loss surgery in 2020, and have not had AFIB since then. I saw a new cardiologist, and she put me on a beta blocker, but no further testing was done. So far, no more AFIB. I still have sleep apnea, but it is mild now.
Wow Wendy. So glad you are ok. All the best. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I am wondering. Did you get treated for sleep apnea? @@TalkingWithDocs
Interesting informative upload.
Glad you liked it Michael. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Awesome video
Glad you liked it Don. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I love you guys❤️ You are so approachable. This video is packed with information. I don’t know if it’s the same in America but the GP’s in England are getting away with no face to face appointments at the moment. So a worried patient would only get a telephone call.
Hi Julie. So telephone consults are still happening but more in person is happening too. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Sorry I have just realised you are in Canada and I’m an British idiot for not recognising the accent, my apologies 🥰
Julie its the same here In Canada. I have not seen my cardiologist in person he just talked to me on the phone and I am waiting for the specialist exactly a year now and still no appointment in sight
I have all three of those causes! Hypertension cubed! (sorry, had to do it) 👀
Thank you for easing the tension and worry! Having Afib does worry me, but you have given me a better outlook! glass half full!
Glad we could help Sharon! Thanks for watching and subscribing
Excellent!
Glad you liked it Kay. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Great content Docs. My mom had A fib that led to heart ablations and ultimately a specialized pacemaker. She is 95 now. Thanks a lot. You guys (and gals) are fantastic!
Thanks so much M H. Thanks for watching and subscribing
atrioventricular block from Ablation???
I had heart failure in 2018. Was just at my pulmonary at Northwestern Chicago on Monday n had it that Wednesday. I went to yoga that day n lunch with a friend. My husband just came home n lucky he was there as he did CPR!! I was in induced coma 4 days, 5th day I pulled out my oxygen myself, not good. Was in hospital 9 days!! I survived!! One thing I hit my head pretty hard so I had dizziness issues for about 6-8 months. I do have a defibrillator in case. I have no blockage no damage. I've worked out for years. I am in medication the rest of my life, which I am fine with!! So thanks for your video.
Wow Barb. Glad you are still with us! And thanks for your husband. All the best
Great video! Can you do a video on the different kind of pace makers? ICD and how they work, thank you.
We will add it to the list Debra. Thanks for watching and subscribing
My mother had a pacemaker and I'd like to understand the A fibrillation. Informative video, thank you and I will share it,💔🇨🇦🌍🕊⏳
Thanks so much Lorna. Thanks for watching and subscribing
I’m going to use my cpap from now on! Thank you for such an informative video!! Love you guys ❤
Yes Janene it is VERY important. Thanks for watching and subscribing
@@TalkingWithDocs I do have another question. We like to dry camp (no electricity) so is there a cpap available for that?
You could get a portable solar powered generator that could supply power for the cpap. Nature bathing i.e. camping is healthy. @@justice-searching
Great stuff, guys. AFib here, too. I've had the cryoablation with some improvement. Looking forward to your sleep apnea vid. I'm doing the bi-pap thing, too.
Glad to hear you are doing ok Mark. Thanks for watching and subscribing
Great show as always. It may be different since I’m in the United States instead of Canada, but after having the ablation done, I also had an atrium appendage closure, which allowed me to get off of the blood thinners. Yay!
That’s great news Karen