Penny M. has a family history of heart issues and has always taken a proactive approach to stay ahead of any long-term problems. Her primary care doctor had been watching her blood pressure over the years and had her on a small dose of medication.
“I had what is considered ‘low’ high blood pressure and hadn’t dealt with any real issues until a trip down to Tucson to attend a jewelry show with friends,” explains Penny. “I had gotten a lot of exercise and was staying hydrated, but I could feel my blood pressure was high.”
Diagnosis and initial treatment
After not being able to get her blood pressure down, Penny followed the guidance of her doctors and went to the emergency room. She underwent many tests, which showed she was dealing with two things: a kidney stone and atrial fibrillation (Afib).
Afib is a heart condition characterized by an irregular, often quickened heartbeat with varying symptoms ranging from flutters to flopping in the chest. It occurs when the beating of the upper chambers of the heart is irregular, interfering with proper blood flow. While Penny’s only symptom was high blood pressure, symptoms vary from person to person and can include heart palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness or lightheadedness, chest pain and heart failure, particularly in women with shortened life span and poor quality of life.
After her hospital stay, Penny’s cardiologist, Renee Espinosa, MD, referred her to Sushmitha Patibandla, MD, a double board-certified clinical cardiac electrophysiologist who specializes in irregular heart rhythm issues at HonorHealth Heart Care – Cardiac Arrhythmia.
“When I first started seeing Penny a few years ago, she had heart valve issues and congestive heart failure because of Afib,” shares Dr. Patibandla. “With her partnership, we took a more aggressive approach to the treatment given her heart failure due to published literature showing a significant survival benefit and improved quality of life with rhythm control, and she had cardiac catheter Afib ablation. Penny had a great outcome, and her heart failure went away.”
Receiving an implant to manage Afib
Over the years, treatment options have progressed, and HonorHealth offers access to the latest technology and procedures. To help better manage and monitor Penny’s asymptomatic Afib, and in light of the known high risk of stroke in female patients with Afib, Dr. Patibandla recommended Penny receive a tiny permanent implant called a loop recorder. In this low-risk procedure, the implant was placed just under the skin in Penny’s left chest with local numbing.
“Women are known to be more prone to having intolerances and adverse side effects to medications,” says Dr. Patibandla. “However, what we’re finding is for patients like Penny, who are good candidates for the ablation or implant procedures, taking that more aggressive approach to the appropriate available technologies with Afib earlier offers improved heart function and a better quality of life.”
To allow Penny to go off of blood thinner medication, which caused her unwanted side effects, and to minimize her stroke risk, she received a proven technology to address these concerns. A left atrial appendage closure device was implanted by going through a femoral vein to gain access to her left upper chamber of the heart which is the primary area where Afib occurs. A “plug” was then placed into the left atrial appendage to completely seal its communication to the main chamber of the heart.
“I have been asked if I was afraid of the procedure, and I always say that I was more afraid of what would happen if I didn’t have it,” shares Penny. “I trusted my team of doctors and nurses. They answered all of my questions about the procedure, and I did my own research. I was confident that I was getting the best possible care for my condition.”
Dr. Patibandla led an all-female team to perform the procedure at Penny’s request due to a previous experience when she was younger. “The doctors and the nurses were very supportive of my choice and never made me feel judged for my decision,” adds Penny. “I never want to go to another hospital aside from HonorHealth – my team was amazing.”
As a follow-up, Dr. Espinosa performed a transesophageal echocardiogram to ensure the implant was growing a seal over it and healing properly – everything looked great. “I am thrilled with the outcome of this procedure and that I no longer have to take blood thinners,” says Penny. “With my Afib under control, I can travel, which I love to do, without any fear of something happening while I am away.”
What advice would she give to anyone suffering from symptoms of Afib? “If you’re suffering from any heart-related symptoms, don’t wait to get care,” says Penny. “Heart treatments have progressed so much. Find good doctors and ask all of the right questions to advocate for yourself and to feel comfortable with your treatment options.”
Is atrial fibrillation getting in your way?
Atrial fibrillation (Afib) – an irregular and often quickened heartbeat – is a common type of arrhythmia estimated by the CDC to affect at least 2.7 million people in the U.S.
Irregular heart rhythms – what you should know
If you notice your heart is fluttering, beating too fast or too slow, or just not beating the way it usually does, you might have a heart rhythm problem known as arrhythmia.
New clinical trial helps patient with Afib
Jeff has intermittent atrial fibrillation (Afib). Since joining a clinical trial for a medication intended to help prevent a stroke, he has not had any incidence of Afib.