A-Fib References
Cardiology References
featuring Atrial Fibrillation
I found these items useful. These are references for information only. I am not qualified to recommend any of their contents, and cannot be held responsible for any of it.
E. R. Lambert PhD
GENERAL A-FIB & CARDIOLOGY
· "Atrial Fibrillation: New Solutions for an Old Problem" on YouTube
https://youtu.be/1-SWiGsBYqw by Andrea Cooley, DO, UT Health East Texas, board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon. A well-presented 38 minute general overview of A-Fib.
· “ Living with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)" on YouTube
by Kanny S. Grewal, MD, FACC, FASE, FASNC, System Chief, Cardiovascular Imaging, OhioHealth Physician Group, Riverside Methodist Hospital, at an American College of Cardiology “CardioSmart” lecture. Broad-brush symptoms, with detail. 55 minute lecture. Not the most dynamic speaker, but excellent content.
· "Atrial Fibrillation can be treated best by changing your diet and lifestyle." on YouTube
https://youtu.be/mmjPv-1RirY by John Mandrola, MD, cardic electrophysiologist, Baptist Health, Louisville, KY. A fast take on diet and lifestyle changes. Short 5-½ minute lecture on A-Fib underlying causes such as obesity, poor diet, lack of exercise, sleep apnea, alcohol intake. Lists high blood pressure, diabetes, stress and anxiety, over-exercise as leading to A-Fib.
· “The AFIB Cure, Get Off Your Medications, Take Control of Your Health, and Add Years to Your Life,” John D. Day, MD and T. Jared Bunch, MD, with Matthew D. LaPlante,
Ben Bella Books, Inc., 10440 N. Central Expressway, Ste 800, Dallas, TX75231, 2021, $18.95, available on Amazon.
A good, in-depth overview of what A-Fib is, what the current treatments are, symptoms and underlying causes, and what to expect as you undergo treatment. Excellent sections on the various procedures, drugs, lab tests, lifestyle changes, etc. This book discusses the details that your cardiologist didn’t have time to tell you, and is a good jumping-off point for finding out more.
· “How Alcohol Affects the Heart,” New York Times article
Claims that even moderate drinking can increase the risk of A-Fib. Good quality reporting.
· “Basic EKG
o Chapter 7 Sinus Rhythms – YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-T5XxxVGeA
o Chapter 8 Atrial Rhythms – YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQssH97RPDk
o Chapter 9 Junctional Rhythms – YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6VVMVkG10E
Three parts of a basic series by Pearson Education, Inc. “Understanding EKGs: A Practical Approach” by Brenda M. Beasley, 2010, a good basic series on how to interpret
EKG printouts.
· “Atrial Fibrillation” from Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atrial-fibrillation/symptoms-causes/syc-20350624
A good basic overview of symptoms, causes, risk factors, complications, and prevention by Mayo Clinic staff. Links to various pages on ablation and associated procedures.
· “Atrial Fibrillation: Current Perspective” from Ochsner Journal, by Marc N. Saad, Daniel P. Morin and Sammy Khatib, 2009
http://www.ochsnerjournal.org/content/9/4/241
A collection of detailed (but less readable) technical information by three electrophysiologists at Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans, LA.
· “Heart Palpitations, from Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-palpitations/symptoms-causes/syc-20373196
Feelings of having a fast-beating, fluttering, or pounding heart. Can be worrisome, but are usually harmless.
· “Cardiovascular Physiology Concepts
https://www.cvphysiology.com/Heart%20Disease/HD002a
So, how does the heart work, anyway? Here’s a readable description in seven parts: (a) Atrial Contraction, (b) Isovolumetric Contraction, (c) Rapid Ejection,
(d) Reduced Ejection, (e) Isovolumetric Relaxation, (f) Rapid Filling, (g) Reduced Filling.
SLEEP APNEA
· “Sleep Apnea info from ResMed, distributors of CPAP machines. Discusses the question, “I use a CPAP, so why do I still have sleep apnea?”
“It’s considered normal for everyone to have up to four apneas an hour.”
· “Referred to by the ResMed blog. Excellent review of what sleep apnea is and how CPAP works. Good list of further detailed reading.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/sleep-apnea-what-is-my-goal-ahi-with-cpap-treatment-3015054
· “Sleeping Positions discussion. It isn’t clear what position is safest, but sleeping on your side reduces sleep apnea frequency and sleeping on your stomach
isn’t good for your lower back.
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/sleeping-positions/side-sleeping
“Not only is side sleeping preferred by 60% of adults, but it is also considered to be one of the healthiest sleep positions. Side sleeping offers many benefits,
from improved spinal alignment to a reduced risk of snoring, heartburn, and back pain.” …by Staff Writer Danielle Pacheco, reviewed by pediatrician Nilong Vyas, MD.
HARDWARE REVIEWS
· “AliveCor portable ECG. (Starting at $80 USD via internet or BestBuy) Optional results interpretation via subscription at $10 USD/ month. Convenient and easy to use.
My electrophysiologist’s Nurse Practitioner suggested that I get one. Friends with A-Fib say this thing gave good results. Mine shows an irregular heartbeat, which
it interprets as “A-Fib.” In light of the “Heart Palpitations” article, above, I’m not overly concerned at the moment, but plan to see the electrophysiologist folks soon.