Dr. Prabhat Hebbar joined Good Morning Arkansas to talk about Atrial Fibrillation (AFib).  He explained that this condition is very common among Americans age 65 and older. And in fact, the incidence of atrial fibrillation is one in 11 people. 

Specific risk factors for AFib include high blood pressure, diabetes, congestive heart failure, untreated sleep apnea and being overweight or obese. Treatment for atrial fibrillation can vary from very simple things like medications to more complex treatments
like cardioversion, which is a controlled shock that is delivered to the heart to restore
normal rhythm. The other treatments include ablations and some patients who cannot take blood thinners benefit from the WATCHMAN device. 

Our cardiologists were among the first in the state of Arkansas to implant
the WATCHMAN device to prevent strokes. The device closes off the source of more than 90% of stroke forming blood clots. 

Our AFib Coordinator is available to discuss symptoms and make necessary appointments.

Learn more about the CHI St. Vincent Heart Institute.