Atrial Fibrillation and Treatments Options

From an interview with
Dr. Kishore Subnani, McLeod Cardiac Electrophysiologist
and heart patient Henry Bell

After being diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation, Henry Bell found it difficult to carry out his daily activities and hobbies. Cardiac electrophysiologist Dr. Kishore Subnani explains how different treatments for A-Fib can give patients a new lease on life.

HENRY’S STORY

“I’ve always enjoyed farming and the outdoors, and I plan to be in the outdoors the rest of my life. My family and I own three produce markets.

One day, I went on a turkey hunt with a friend, and while we were in the woods, I began to feel sick. That night I was very uncomfortable and did not sleep well. I’m glad my wife took me to McLeod Health. After some testing, Dr. Amit Pande (McLeod cardiologist) told me I had A-Fib and referred me to Dr. Kishore Subnani to discuss my treatment options.” 

MCLEOD CARDIAC ELECTROPHYSIOLOGIST DR. KISHORE SUBNANI

Atrial Fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia in America and usually affects older patients, especially 65 years of age and older. Symptoms include shortness of breath, dizziness or lightheadness and fatigue.

For treatments, what we typically start with is medications. If that doesn’t work and people are still symptomatic, we can perform a cardioversion, which is a shock treatment under anesthesia to get the patient’s heart back into normal rhythm. 

If this procedure does not work, we have an excellent therapy called an ablation. This is a more invasive treatment where we put catheters into the heart and burn areas of the heart to create scar tissue, which can help control the patient’s heart arrhythmia.

HENRY’S FINAL THOUGHT

“After being treated by Dr. Subnani, my health has improved, and I feel so much better. I feel five years younger,” says Henry. “I would tell anyone listening that if you are having pain or discomfort in your chest, you should go directly to McLeod Health. By seeing a doctor, you could be saving your own life.” 

See Henry’s entire story.