Atrial fibrillation is a type of arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm. In atrial fibrillation, the electrical signals from the upper chambers of the heart (the atria) are fast and irregular. This causes the atria to quiver instead of beating effectively.

 

Atrial fibrillation affects approximately 2.4 million Americans. People with atrial fibrillation are five to seven times more likely to have a stroke.

 

As a UW Health Heart and Vascular Care patient, you will benefit from our collaborative approach to treating atrial fibrillation. We are unique because our surgeons work as a unified service with electrophysiology cardiologists to evaluate each patient and determine the best possible treatment options. These may include medication, nonsurgical techniques, surgery, or a combination of all three. We find this the safest, most effective way to treat atrial fibrillation.