Get Started Learning About Atrial Fibrillation Guide
By Mellanie True Hills
If you’ve come here from seeing the Take a Stand video, please share it with others that should know about atrial fibrillation. If you haven’t seen it yet, see:
Let’s get started learning about atrial fibrillation by starting with the section below for anyone interested in learning about afib. If you’re an afib patient, family member, or caregiver, then continue on to the lower section as well.
For Anyone Interested in Learning About Afib
To learn more about afib, check out the pages below. To share this information with others, click on the Email link at the bottom of the page. To print a page without headings and menus, click on Print at the bottom of that page.
- What is afib? — what it is, what it feels like, and how serious it is
- What causes afib? — afib causes, risk factors, and triggers
- How to know it’s afib — symptoms and diagnosing it
- Why is afib a problem? — stroke and congestive heart failure, including risks and symptoms
- Interview with Dr. Emelia Benjamin on Framingham Risk Prediction Tool for Atrial Fibrillation — to see if you might be at risk, visit the Framingham Risk Prediction Tool listed in the article
To learn more, sign up for our e-mail newsletter. You’ll receive alerts when a news story is added to StopAfib.org. Just go to the Newsletter Sign Up box at the top of any page. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link at the bottom of each newsletter.
For Afib Patients, Family Members, and Caregivers
If you have atrial fibrillation, or think that you might, or a family member has it, you’re probably wondering what to do. We understand what you are going through and what you are feeling. We’ve been there, too.
Our goal is to provide you with information and perspectives about living with atrial fibrillation, and to help you find an atrial fibrillation treatment or cure. We’re patients and caregivers helping other patients and caregivers, and are here to help you overcome your atrial fibrillation. You are not alone.
So where do you start? After checking out all of the pages in the section above for anyone interested in learning about atrial fibrillation, please check out the additional pages below to learn about managing and treating afib.
- Can afib be managed? — treating afib with medications and cardioversions
- Can afib be cured? — treatments such as catheter ablation, maze surgery (Cox-Maze III cut-and-sew), maze surgical ablation (Cox-Maze IV), and mini maze surgery
- Partnering with your doctor — communicating with your doctor and questions to ask
- Role of caregivers — what the patient needs and what you need
- Patient stories — about patients living with afib and their cures, including our founder’s afib story
- Patient and caregiver resources — afib-related sites and discussion forums for patients and caregivers
- Find afib services — find doctors, hospitals, and afib or arrhythmia centers that specialize in treating atrial fibrillation
- News and events — news, events, audios, and video interviews with top afib doctors. This part of the site contains a wealth of information. If you sign up for the newsletter, it will alert you to new stories here.
Here are some videos and articles that are helpful for those with afib:
- Afib Master Class — Featuring renowned Cardiac Electrophysiologist Eric N. Prystowsky, MD
- Webinars:
- Expert Advice to Get the Right Treatment for You: How to Work with Your Doctor and Your Insurance to Receive the Medications and Care You Need — Featuring renowned Cardiac Electrophysiologist Eric N. Prystowsky, MD
- Discover Your Options for Reducing Your Stroke Risk When Blood Thinners Are Not an Option — Featuring Christopher Ellis, MD
- Afib Genetics, Risk Factors, and Prevention Webinar— Featuring Emelia Benjamin, MD, one of the world’s top experts in afib genetics and epidemiology
- Afib Stroke Prevention Webinar — Featuring Elaine Hylek, MD, one of the world’s top experts in anticoagulant
- Watch the presentations from the Get In Rhythm. Stay In Rhythm.® Atrial Fibrillation Patient Conferences:
- 2019 Livestream Replays
- 2018 Livestream Replays — free
- 2017 Livestream Replays — for less than an emergency room co-pay
- 2016 Videos — free
- 2015 Videos — free
- 2013 Videos — free
- Noted Electrophysiologist Discusses Atrial Fibrillation Guidelines — usual treatment options for those newly-diagnosed with afib and what patients should ask their doctors
- New Stroke Risk Factors for Those with Atrial Fibrillation (AF): Female Gender, Heart Disease, and Age — discusses the CHADS2 scoring system and the newer CHA2DS2-VASc risk factors for stroke to help determine whether you need Coumadin or warfarin
- Dr. Hugh Calkins Discusses the New AHA/ACC/HRS Atrial Fibrillation Guidelines — discusses the new U.S. guidelines released in 2014
- How to Push Back if Medicare or Other Health Insurance Says “No” to Atrial Fibrillation Treatment
- Does Stress Cause Atrial Fibrillation?
- Does Alcohol Put You at Risk for Atrial Fibrillation?
- Does Air Pollution Cause Atrial Fibrillation?
- The Role of Coffee in Atrial Fibrillation
- AV Node Ablation: Why You Shouldn’t Have It
- Can Avoiding Dehydration Prevent Atrial Fibrillation “Holiday Heart Syndrome”?
Here are some of our social media resources that may be helpful:
- StopAfib Calendar — check for events near you (or post events)
- StopAfib on Twitter
- StopAfib Facebook Page
- StopAfib YouTube Channel
- StopAfib Forum — discuss afib with others, and even create your own afib blog as a journal of your afib journey
The information above is all based on factual medical research and information, but there needs to be a place for those suffering with atrial fibrillation to share opinions and experiences. The Atrial Fibrillation Blog is just such a place. Below are some of the most popular topics. Please share your experiences there, too.
Also check out the StopAfib Atrial Fibrillation Community, where you can pose questions and discuss concerns about afib with others worldwide, or just in your local area.
Finally, follow us on these social media sites for news, information, opinions, and some fun stuff, too.