Most Searched
From diagnosis to procedures and long-term follow-up, our expert team helps you lower stroke risk and regain confidence.
Telehealth appointments are available.
Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is an irregular heart rhythm that may raise your risk for blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other complications. At Keck Medicine of USC, our specialists focus on AFib care using advanced technologies, such as intracardiac ultrasound and 3D mapping, to create the most effective, personalized plan for you. We offer a full range of options, from medication to minimally invasive procedures and surgery, so you can move forward with a plan that fits your symptoms, goals and lifestyle.
AFib is a type of arrhythmia. It starts in the heart’s upper chambers (atria). Instead of a steady rhythm, the electrical signals fire in a disorganized way. That can lead to a fast, irregular heartbeat. The condition may come and go, or it may be ongoing. Many people feel symptoms right away. Others feel nothing, so AFib can go unnoticed even though your risk stays high.
AFib can show up in a few different patterns. Identifying your type helps your care team choose the right treatment approach and set clear next steps. It also helps you know what to expect over time. No matter the type, you have options. Your care team will review your symptoms, your heart health and stroke risk, then recommend a plan that fits your life. Types of AFib include:
Atrial fibrillation can feel different from person to person. Some people notice symptoms right away. Others notice changes only at certain times, such as during exercise, while at rest or at night. Atrial fibrillation symptoms can include:
Call 911 right away if you have chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, new weakness on one side, face droop or trouble speaking.
AFib can have more than one cause. In many cases, long-term strain on the heart, which can be caused by high blood pressure or coronary artery disease, raises your risk for AFib. If you have a strong family history of AFib, you may want to ask about genetic counseling. It can help you understand inherited risk and what it may mean for your care. Other conditions and lifestyle habits can add to the strain on your heart. You may be at risk if you have:
A clear diagnosis helps your care team match your specific treatment needs to your heart rhythm pattern and stroke risk. Getting an atrial fibrillation diagnosis starts with capturing your heart rhythm, often with an electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG) and sometimes with a monitor you wear at home. Our goal is to find ways to lower it. AFib raises stroke risk because blood may pool in the heart and form clots.
Your evaluation may include:
Your care plan depends on your symptoms, your type of AFib, your overall heart health and your stroke risk. We tailor arrhythmia treatment to your needs, and your care team may recommend one option or a combination, including:
Medication can help keep your heart from racing and help your heartbeat stay more regular. Your care team may also prescribe blood thinners when appropriate to help lower your stroke risk.
For some patients, cardioversion for atrial fibrillation uses a quick, controlled electrical shock to help reset the heart back to a normal rhythm. Your care team places pads on your chest and gives medication through an IV so you stay comfortable during the procedure.
Catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation is a procedure where a specialist guides thin, flexible tubes through a vein to your heart. Using imaging and mapping, they deliver energy to treat areas that trigger the irregular rhythm.
Some people with AFib also need a device to help manage slow or fast heart rhythms. Pacemakers can help when the heart beats too slowly or pauses. ICDs (implantable cardioverter defibrillators) can treat certain life-threatening rhythms by delivering therapy when needed.
For some patients, especially those with longstanding persistent AFib, surgical or epicardial approaches (working on the outside of the heart instead of from inside it) may offer another path, such as the totally thoracoscopic maze (TT-Maze), which is not widely available.
AFib often needs follow-up care over time. Your care team will check in, help you track symptoms and adjust your treatment as needed to protect your heart.
You have a dedicated team that treats AFib every day, with coordinated care across cardiology, electrophysiology and cardiac surgery.
We use advanced tools, such as intracardiac ultrasound and 3D mapping, to guide a personalized plan.
We offer a full range of care options, from medication to minimally invasive procedures and open-chest surgery.
We have expertise with complex AFib cases, such as longstanding persistent AFib, plus access to advanced surgical options when appropriate.
As an academic medical center, you have access to clinical trials, when a trial fits your needs and goals.
Patient Story
It’s so disconcerting to have AFib because it just happens. Sometimes, there’s no warning.
