{"id":8661,"date":"2018-01-08T20:34:10","date_gmt":"2018-01-08T20:34:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/?p=8661"},"modified":"2018-01-08T20:34:29","modified_gmt":"2018-01-08T20:34:29","slug":"cooper-heart-rhythm-center-treating-patients-with-atrial-fibrillation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cooperhealth.org\/ehealth\/2018\/01\/08\/cooper-heart-rhythm-center-treating-patients-with-atrial-fibrillation\/","title":{"rendered":"Cooper Heart Rhythm Center \u2013 Treating Patients with Atrial Fibrillation"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Andrea M. Russo, MD
Director, Cardiac
Electrophysiology and
Arrhythmia Services<\/p><\/div>\n

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)<\/a> is the most common type of heart rhythm disorder, also known as a heart arrhythmia. The pumping of the heart is controlled by the heart\u2019s electrical system. During AFib, the electrical signals in the upper chambers of the heart become disorganized, causing a rapid and irregular heartbeat. This can worsen the overall function of the heart, increase the risk of blood clots and stroke, and can ultimately lead to heart failure (or fluid buildup in the lungs). In fact, the average person with AFib is five times more likely to suffer from a stroke.<\/p>\n

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), more than\u00a02.7 million people in the United States have been diagnosed\u00a0with AFib, and only 33 percent consider the condition to be\u00a0serious. The AHA also estimates as many as 6.1 million\u00a0Americans are living with AFib and have gone undiagnosed since the symptoms are not always obvious.<\/p>\n

Treating a heart rhythm disorder requires absolute precision.\u00a0At the Cooper Heart Rhythm Center, a program of the Cooper\u00a0Heart Institute, patients have access to the most advanced\u00a0technology and experienced electrophysiologists (a doctor\u00a0who specializes in the diagnosis and\u00a0treatment of abnormal heart rhythms) in\u00a0southern New Jersey. \u201cWe deliver state-of-the-art arrhythmia treatment and\u00a0patient-centered care through a team-based\u00a0approach,\u201d says Andrea M. Russo,\u00a0MD<\/a>, Director, Electrophysiology and\u00a0Arrhythmia Services<\/a>. \u201cOur involvement in\u00a0clinical research at Cooper provides access\u00a0to the latest technology for care of our patients with arrhythmia disorders.\u201d<\/p>\n

The goal of treating AFib is to restore a normal heart rhythm\u00a0and prevent blood clots from forming to reduce future risk of a\u00a0stroke. The treatment that is chosen depends on the frequency\u00a0and severity of the patient\u2019s symptoms and risk factors for\u00a0stroke, in addition to whether or not the patient was already been diagnosed with heart disease.<\/p>\n

Risk Factors for AFib<\/h2>\n