How Dangerous Is Atrial Fibrillation? Risks, Complications, and When to Seek Care

How Dangerous Is Atrial Fibrillation? Risks, Complications, and When to Seek Care

Atrial fibrillation (AF), or “AFib” for short, is the most common type of heart rhythm disorder, affecting millions of adults in the United States and around the globe. Although some people with AF experience mild or no symptoms, atrial fibrillation can significantly increase the risk of serious complications, including stroke, heart failure, and long-term cardiovascular damage.

Understanding how dangerous atrial fibrillation can be—and when to seek medical care—can help patients protect their heart health and prevent life-threatening complications.

What Is Atrial Fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm that occurs when the upper chambers of the heart (atria) beat irregularly and out of coordination with the lower chambers (ventricles). Instead of a normal, steady heartbeat, AF causes a rapid and chaotic heart rhythm that may reduce the heart’s efficiency.

When the heart beats irregularly, blood may pool in the atria, increasing the risk of blood clot formation. These clots can travel to the brain and cause stroke.

How Dangerous Is Atrial Fibrillation?

While AF is not always immediately life-threatening, it can lead to serious health complications if left untreated. The severity of AF depends on several factors, including underlying heart disease, frequency of episodes, and overall cardiovascular health.

Increased stroke risk

One of the most serious complications of atrial fibrillation is stroke. AF significantly increases the likelihood of blood clot formation in the heart, which can travel to the brain and block blood flow.

Patients with AF have a stroke risk that is several times higher than individuals with normal heart rhythm. Stroke caused by AF is often more severe and disabling.

Heart Failure

Over time, untreated atrial fibrillation can weaken the heart muscle and lead to heart failure. Rapid or irregular heart rhythms force the heart to work harder, reducing its ability to pump blood efficiently.

Symptoms of heart failure may include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue
  • Fluid retention and swelling

  • Reduced exercise tolerance

Increased Risk of Other Cardiovascular Complications

Atrial fibrillation may also increase the risk of:

  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Reduced quality of life
  • Hospitalization for heart-related conditions 

Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation

Some individuals with AFib experience noticeable symptoms, while others may not realize they have the condition until complications occur.

Common symptoms include:

  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat
  • Heart palpitations
  • Chest discomfort
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Dizziness and lightheadedness
  • Reduced exercise tolerance

Because AF can occur intermittently, symptoms may come and go, making diagnosis and treatment more challenging.

Who Is at Higher Risk of Atrial Fibrillation?

Several medical conditions and lifestyle factors increase AF risk, including:

  • High blood pressure
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Heart valve disease
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Sleep apnea
  • Smoking
  • Excessive alcohol consumption
  • Family history of arrhythmias

Age is also a major risk factor, with AF becoming more common in adults over age 60.

When Should You Seek Medical Care?

Early diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation can significantly reduce the risk of stroke and heart failure.

Patients should schedule evaluation with a cardiologist if they experience:

  • Irregular or rapid heartbeat
  • Unexplained fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • Dizziness or fainting
  • Chest discomfort

Seek Emergency Medical Care Immediately If You Experience:

  • Severe chest pain
  • Sudden weakness or numbness
  • Difficulty speaking or understanding speech
  • Sudden vision problems
  • Loss of balance or coordination

These may be signs of stroke or heart attack and require immediate treatment.

Treatment Options for Atrial Fibrillation

AF treatment focuses on controlling heart rhythm, preventing blood clots, and reducing cardiovascular risk.

Medications

Patients may be prescribed medications to:

  • Control heart rate
  • Restore normal heart rhythm
  • Prevent blood clot formation
  • Manage underlying cardiovascular conditions

Cardioversion

Cardioversion uses electrical or medication therapy to restore normal heart rhythm.

Catheter Ablation

Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that targets abnormal electrical signals causing AF.

Lifestyle Modifications

Lifestyle changes play a critical role in AF management and prevention.

Patients are encouraged to:

  • Maintain healthy weight
  • Control blood pressure and cholesterol
  • Exercise regularly
  • Avoid excessive alcohol
  • Stop smoking
  • Manage sleep apnea
  • Reduce stress

Atrial Fibrillation Care in Tampa, Florida

Individuals living in Tampa and surrounding communities—including South Tampa, Hyde Park, Davis Islands, Carrollwood, Westchase, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg—can benefit from specialized AF evaluation and treatment.

At Ascent Cardiology, patients receive advanced arrhythmia evaluation, heart rhythm monitoring, stroke risk assessment, and personalized AF treatment strategies designed to improve long-term cardiovascular outcomes.

Early diagnosis and preventative cardiology care can significantly reduce AFib-related complications.

Preventing AF Complications

Although atrial fibrillation cannot always be prevented, patients can reduce complications by:

  • Monitoring blood pressure regularly
  • Maintaining heart-healthy lifestyle habits
  • Taking prescribed medications consistently
  • Scheduling routine cardiology follow-up visits
  • Managing chronic medical conditions

Preventative cardiology plays an essential role in reducing AF progression and stroke risk.

Schedule an Atrial Fibrillation Evaluation

If you experience symptoms of atrial fibrillation or have cardiovascular risk factors, early cardiology evaluation is essential. Patients in Tampa Bay can scheduled a consultation with our board-certified cardiologist, Sachin Diwadkar, MD, FACC, FASE, at Ascent Cardiology for comprehensive arrhythmia screening and personalized treatment planning. Please request an appointment today. 

Medical Disclaimer

The content provided on the Ascent Cardiology website is intended for general educational and informational purposes only. The information, articles, and media presented on this website do not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Content published on this website is not intended to replace consultation, evaluation, or treatment by qualified healthcare professionals, including the providers at Ascent Cardiology or other licensed medical professionals.

If you believe you may be experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or seek immediate emergency medical care.

The medical information, opinions, and educational materials presented on this website are provided for general awareness and may not reflect the specific clinical practices or medical opinions of Ascent Cardiology or its providers. Reliance on any information provided on this website is solely at your own risk.

This website may include links to third-party medical or educational websites for informational purposes only. Ascent Cardiology does not control, endorse, or assume responsibility for the accuracy, reliability, or content of any third-party websites linked from this site.

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Diseases of the Mitral Valve

The mitral valve is one of the four valves found in the human heart. It is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle. Like all heart valves, the mitral valve helps regulate the flow of blood through the heart; specifically, from the left atrium to the left ventricle. Whenever the heart contracts, the mitral valve seals itself off to stop blood from flowing into the lungs. A diseased or damaged mitral valve cannot function and should be surgically repaired or replaced by a cardiologist in Tampa.

Those suffering from a condition involving the mitral valve can get progressively worse over time if left untreated. Mitral valve diseases, such as mitral valve regurgitation and mitral valve stenosis, can be debilitating on their own, but they also open the door for other conditions, such as heart dilation and atrial fibrillation. If you are experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, fatigue, swollen ankles or legs, persistent coughing, or heart palpitations, consult a cardiologist in Tampa, FL, from Ascent Cardiology Group to see if you are suffering from one of the diseases of the mitral valve.
Mitral Valve Prolapse and Regurgitation
If the leaflets of the mitral valve bulge, or prolapse, it can cause issues during heart contractions, such as mitral valve regurgitation. Mitral valve regurgitation occurs when a prolapsed mitral valve allows blood to leak into the atrium from the ventricle. Although mitral valve prolapse isn’t especially harmful, and most people don’t realize that they have it, in some cases, treatment is required. This condition is most commonly caused by myxomatous valve disease, which is when the valve leaflets are too stretchy.

Approximately two percent of the population suffers from mitral valve prolapse. Generally, this disease is passed down through genetics, but it can also be caused by health problems, like connective tissue diseases. Detecting mitral valve prolapse without the assistance of a cardiologist in Tampa can be difficult. Your cardiologist can listen to your heartbeat with a stethoscope to detect a murmur that may be indicative of mitral valve prolapse. Other symptoms include heart palpitations, chest pain, and fatigue.
Mitral Valve Stenosis
Unlike mitral valve prolapse, which occurs when the valve leaflets of the mitral valve are too stretchy, mitral valve stenosis occurs when these leaflets become too thick or stiff. When this happens, the leaflets can fuse together, resulting in a narrowed valve opening that constricts blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, causing fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling, and more. Individuals suffering from this condition must consult a cardiologist in Tampa, FL, to determine whether the condition has progressed to the point where surgery will be required. If your condition becomes worse, your cardiologist can repair or replace the mitral valve utilizing a minimally invasive surgical option.
To consult a cardiologist in Tampa, FL, from Ascent Cardiology Group, please request an appointment today.
Disclaimer: The contents of this website are for general educational purposes only. All content and media on the Ascent Cardiology Group website does not constitute professional medical advice nor is the information intended to replace the services of Ascent Cardiology Group or other qualified medical professionals. If you believe you are having a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

The content, views, and opinions communicated on this website do not represent the views of Ascent Cardiology Group. Reliance on any information provided by this website is solely at your own risk. Although this website contains links to other medical websites, this is strictly for informational purposes. Ascent Cardiology Group is not responsible nor do they approve of the content featured on any third party linked websites referenced on this website.
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The Differences Between Invasive and Interventional Cardiology

For those suffering from coronary artery disease, heart valve disease, or peripheral vascular disease, your best chance for survival is to arm yourself with information on the treatment options available to you. Treatment for these diseases usually consists of tobacco cessation, exercise, dieting, and medications. However, these measures may not be enough to counteract symptoms, leaving surgery as the only remaining option.

In this brief article, we will be discussing the key differences between invasive cardiology and interventional cardiology — two approaches that can have drastically different outcomes for patients. Consult with the best interventional cardiologist in Tampa, Dr. Sachin V. Diwadkar, FACC, FASE, of Ascent Cardiology Group, for any questions regarding your heart health.
Invasive Cardiology
Just as the name implies, invasive cardiology consists of using invasive measures to gain access to and diagnose problems in the heart. Angioplasty and stenting are common invasive procedures performed by way of a femoral arterial catheterization. Angioplasty consists of attaching a small balloon to a catheter and guiding it through the femoral artery. This balloon then inflates, pushing plaque against the walls of a clogged vein. Once the vein is open, a stent is placed to deliver medicine to the site and permanently hold the vein open.

The problem with invasive cardiology is that femoral access is gained through the groin area. Complications associated with femoral access through the groin include increased discomfort and long recovery times. While rare, pseudoaneurysm, acute limb ischemia, and retroperitoneal bleeding can also occur.
Interventional Cardiology
Like invasive cardiology, interventional cardiology uses a catheter to treat heart disease. However, interventional cardiology is performed by way of a transradial catheterization. Due to a decrease in bleeding complications, discomfort, and recovery time, the radial artery is a superior location to gain access to the heart. Patients that undergo transradial catheterization can be up and walking around immediately following the procedure. The same thing cannot be said for those that undergo an invasive cardiology procedure.
A Difference in Experience
At Ascent Cardiology Group, our goal to provide our patients with a quality of life that may have been unattainable prior to them coming through our doors. We accomplish this goal by combining the latest in minimally invasive techniques with unparalleled training.

Upon completing his residency and fellowship in Cardiovascular Diseases, Dr. Diwadkar completed an additional fellowship in Interventional Cardiology at Tampa General Hospital and University of South Florida-affiliated institutes. When looking for interventional cardiology in Tampa, turn to Dr. Diwadkar and the team of cardiologists at Ascent Cardiology Group.
To consult with Dr. Diwadkar, the best interventional cardiologist in Tampa, please request an appointment today.
Disclaimer: The contents of this website are for general educational purposes only. All content and media on the Ascent Cardiology Group website does not constitute professional medical advice nor is the information intended to replace the services of Ascent Cardiology Group or other qualified medical professionals. If you believe you are having a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

The content, views, and opinions communicated on this website do not represent the views of Ascent Cardiology Group. Reliance on any information provided by this website is solely at your own risk. Although this website contains links to other medical websites, this is strictly for informational purposes. Ascent Cardiology Group is not responsible nor do they approve of the content featured on any third party linked websites referenced on this website.
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What is Athlete’s Heart?

When you think about the heart of an athlete, you probably envision a person who has achieved peak physical health after years and years of exhaustive training, someone like Lebron James, Tom Brady, or Roger Federer, athletes who have spent years perfecting their cardiovascular endurance to perform at the highest level. On the contrary, athlete’s heart, otherwise known as athletic heart syndrome, is a condition stemming from changes in the heart that occur as the result of intense athletic training. In this article, a cardiologist in Tampa, FL, from Ascent Cardiology Group will explore everything athletes past, present, and future should know about athlete’s heart.
Excessive Exercise Leads to Athlete’s Heart
The heart of an athlete must contend with up to twenty times the doctor-recommended weekly minimum of moderate intensity exercise (~150 minutes). Whether you’re a professional athlete or a hobbyist, excessive exercise can lead to unique electrical, structural, and functional changes in the heart. While many of these physiological adaptations aren’t life-threatening, it’s important to understand how they can affect your overall well-being. Fortunately, a cardiologist in Tampa can help you diagnose this subtle condition and provide you with any information necessary to help you deal with athlete’s heart.
Changes in Your Heart
Athletes may experience cardiovascular and peripheral adaptation when engaging in intense exercise. Some of these changes include:

• Structural Changes: 10-25 percent increase in left ventricular wall thickness; 15 percent increase in bi-atrial dilatation in the left and right ventricle.

• Electrical Changes: sinus bradycardia, sinus arrhythmia, first degree atrioventricular block, voltage left ventricular hypertrophy and right ventricular hypertrophy, incomplete right bundle branch block, and T-wave inversion in all four ventricles.

• Functional Changes: increases in diastolic filling time; increase in stroke volume.

• Peripheral Changes: increase in skeletal muscle fibres, increase in capillary conductance, increase in oxidative capacity, increase in mitochondrial enzymes, and increase in oxygen consumption.
Is This Condition Dangerous?
Although the structural changes associated with athlete’s heart resemble those present in other cardiac disorders, no adverse or debilitating effects are apparent. That said, athlete’s heart is a condition relegated mainly to athletes, so if you do not exercise regularly and experience symptoms of athlete’s heart, you could be dealing with a much more severe issue. That said, doctors are still studying athlete’s heart to determine once and for all if the condition is benign. No major treatments are required if you are diagnosed with athlete’s heart; however, your cardiologist should observe you for a deconditioning period of three months so that they can distinguish between athlete’s heart and a more severe condition like cardiomyopathy.

Athlete’s heart is not technically considered a medical condition, but it should be monitored closely to ensure that medical conditions with similar symptoms and signs aren’t present. If you experience chest pain or your heart measurements fall in a certain range between normal and abnormal, consult a cardiologist in Tampa from Ascent Cardiology Group for a stress-free consultation to ensure that your heart health is in peak shape.
To consult a cardiologist in Tampa, FL, from Ascent Cardiology Group, please request an appointment today.
Disclaimer: The contents of this website are for general educational purposes only. All content and media on the Ascent Cardiology Group website does not constitute professional medical advice nor is the information intended to replace the services of Ascent Cardiology Group or other qualified medical professionals. If you believe you are having a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

The content, views, and opinions communicated on this website do not represent the views of Ascent Cardiology Group. Reliance on any information provided by this website is solely at your own risk. Although this website contains links to other medical websites, this is strictly for informational purposes. Ascent Cardiology Group is not responsible nor do they approve of the content featured on any third party linked websites referenced on this website.
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