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Transforming heart health

Published Date

From the heart flutters that occur when you fall in love, to the pain of a first heartbreak the heart undergoes a range of emotions and experiences. 

One of the most common heart conditions to cause rapid and irregular heartbeat is atrial fibrillation or A-fib, which affects over 6 million Americans.

“A-fib occurs when the heart's upper chambers beat in a disorganized, chaotic fashion, causing an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm,” shares board-certified electrophysiologist Dr. Danny Lee at Providence St. Joseph Hospital and St. Jude Medical Center. “When left untreated, A-fib increases the risk of stroke, heart failure or other heart-related issues.”

Common A-fib symptoms include:

  • Heart palpitations

  • Shortness of breath

  • Weakness

  • Fatigue

  • Lightheadedness

Thankfully, advances in technology are making it easier to manage A-fib symptoms and provide relief.

“Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a state-of-the-art treatment we offer to treat A-fib in a fraction of the time compared to standard ablations,” said Dr. Jay Tiongson, a board-certified electrophysiologist at Providence Mission Hospital and medical director of electrophysiology. “It is also more effective in deadening defective heart tissue to stop A-fib while not damaging surrounding tissue.

“This technology allows us to do these procedures safely and more quickly with less anesthesia. Most patients will go home after just a few hours,” says Dr. Tiongson.

If you have experienced any of the symptoms associated with A-fib, schedule a visit with a Providence physician to be evaluated and learn what treatment options are best for you. For tips on how to maintain a healthy heart, view our state lecture featuring board-certified, interventional cardiologists.