Atrial Fibrillation Blog

By Adam Pick

Patient Alert: New Atrial Fibrillation Guidelines to Prevent Stroke Risk

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: March 14, 2024

At the recent 60th Annual Meeting of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons in San Antonio, I learned A LOT of great information about heart valve defects and related cardiac conditions.

Continue reading this post »

“What About the Watchman for Atrial Fibrillation After Heart Valve Surgery?” asks Lee

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: September 12, 2023

Lee just asked me, “Hi Adam – I’ve had three aortic valve replacements and valve repair plus an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. All functions are good currently, but AFib persists 3.2% of the time. After oral surgery and a ruptured vein causing a hematoma, I had to defer Eliquis to control bleeding. My current cardiologist thinks I should consider the Watchman procedure as a safety measure. What have you heard about that procedure?”

Continue reading this post »

Stroke Risk: What Can Be Done to Help Heart Valve & Atrial Fibrillation Patients?

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: August 23, 2023

It should be no secret.

Continue reading this post »

URGENT: Will You Please Help Heart Valve & AFib Patients?

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: June 1, 2023

Help! Please! It’s Urgent!

Continue reading this post »

Surgeon Q&A: Atrial Fibrilation & Amiodarone After Heart Surgery

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: January 10, 2023

I just received a great question from Claudia about atrial fibrillation and the use of Amiodarone after heart valve surgery. In her email, Claudia asks me, “Hi Adam, I had mitral valve repair surgery two weeks ago. I had an atrial fibrillation episode after the operation. What is the usual amount of time patients stay on Amiodarone?”

Continue reading this post »

Patient Advocacy Update: Our Community Submits 250+ Comments to Medicare in 24 Hours

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: June 6, 2022

The gals and guys in the HeartValveSurgery.com community are downright wonderful.  When I need your help, you always show-up for me and, more importantly, for all the patients in our community.

Continue reading this post »

URGENT: Will You Please Help Heart Valve & AFib Patients?

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page last updated: June 6, 2022

Help! Please! It’s Urgent!

Continue reading this post »

Atrial Fibrillation & Heart Valve Education Center 2.0 Launches!

Written By: Adam Pick – Patient, Author & HeartValveSurgery.com Founder
Medical Experts: Dr. Marc Gerdisch, Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Franciscan Health, and Dr. Patrick McCarthy, Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Northwestern Medicine
Page last updated: December 21, 2020

If you have been diagnosed with heart valve disease, here’s a really important fact to know…

Continue reading this post »

Ed Can Walk Up Stairs Again Thanks to a Mitral Valve & Maze Procedure!

By Adam Pick on April 28, 2020

He was short of breath.  He could not walk up stairs.  He was afraid.  Then, Edward Clinton ended up in the emergency room.

Continue reading this post »

2019 Atrial Fibrillation Patient Conference Announced!

By Adam Pick on May 28, 2019

As up to 35% of patients with heart valve disease are diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, I wanted to make sure you knew about the upcoming “Get in Rhythm! Stay in Rhythm” conference to be held in Dallas, Texas on August 9 to August 11.

Continue reading this post »

“How Do I Know When My AFib Is Gone After Heart Surgery?” asks Linda

By Adam Pick on December 4, 2018

Linda just asked me two GREAT questions about heart valve surgery and atrial fibrillation (AFib).  She writes, “Hi Adam, After surgery… How do I know when my AFib is gone?  Also, when do patients stop taking blood thinners after AFib is gone following surgery?  Thanks! Linda”

Continue reading this post »

Surgeon Q&A: What Should Heart Valve Patients Know About Atrial Fibrillation?

By Adam Pick on July 25, 2018

Now, more than ever, I am getting questions about atrial fibrillation (AFib) from heart valve patients.  And, for good reason.  Did you know that up to 35% of patients with heart valve disease have AFib?  And, did you know that people with AFib are 5 times more likely to have a stroke? Sadly, did you know that AFib can result in heart failure?

Continue reading this post »

Is Heart Failure Connected to Atrial Fibrillation & Mitral Valve Disease?

By Adam Pick on April 5, 2018

I just received a great question from Clay about mitral valve disease, atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure.  In his note, Clay asked me, “Hi Adam, I have congestive heart failure and mitral valve prolapse plus long-term atrial fibrillation (AFib). My question is whether-or-not congestive heart failure is connected with mitral valve prolapse?  Thanks, Clay”

Continue reading this post »

Atrial Fibrillation After Heart Surgery: What Should Patients Know?

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page last updated: November 7, 2023

At the recent Heart Valve Summit, I was overwhelmed with wonderful patient questions for our “Ask Adam Anything” event.  For example, Eileen asked me about atrial fibrillation (AFib) which is an abnormal heart rhythm.  Eileen’s question was, “Is atrial fibrillation after heart valve surgery common?”

Continue reading this post »

Surgeon Q&A: What Should Patients Know About The New Class I AFib Ablation Recommendation?

By Adam Pick on March 30, 2017

As up to 35% of patients with heart valve disease also have atrial fibrillation (an irregular heartbeat), I needed to make sure you knew about this.

Continue reading this post »

Surgeon Q&A: Should Atrial Fibrillation Get Treated During Heart Valve Surgery?

By Adam Pick on April 25, 2016

If you didn’t know… Many patients with heart valve disease have atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat. According to reports, up to 35% of patients with valvular defects are more likely to have AFib. For this reason, I really appreciated Anita’s question, “Adam – Can anyone having heart valve surgery be a candidate for corrective atrial fibrillation treatment?”

Continue reading this post »

Surgeon Q&A: Will A Mechanical Heart Valve Replacement Stop Atrial Fibrillation?

By Adam Pick on January 23, 2016

During the Heart Valve Summit, I received some great questions from our community. One of the questions from Leslie at our Facebook page was, “After several years of paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) and a prolapsed mitral valve, I finally had my bad valve replaced by a mechanical mitral valve. Will this stop my AFib?”

Continue reading this post »

Free Webinar eBook & Video: “What Should You Know About Heart Valves & Atrial Fibrillation?”

By Adam Pick on November 13, 2015

Great news. If you missed our recent webinar, “What Should You Know About Heart Valves & Atrial Fibrillation?” with Dr. Patrick McCarthy, Dr. James Thomas, Jane Kruse and myself, you can now download the free eBook by clicking here.

Continue reading this post »

Webinar Announced: “What Should You Know About Heart Valves & Atrial Fibrillation?” on November 4

By Adam Pick on October 29, 2015

As 35% of patients with heart valve disease are more likely to have atrial fibrillation, I am very excited to announce that we will host a live patient webinar, “What Should You Know About Heart Valves & AFib?” next Wednesday, November 4, at 5pm CST.

Continue reading this post »

Inside Look: Surgical Tools that Reduce Stroke Risk from Atrial Fibrillation

By Adam Pick on October 12, 2015

During the Heart Valve Summit, I received many questions about heart valve disease and Atrial Fibrillation.

Continue reading this post »

Newest Community Post

Barry says, "Greetings everyone!!! ,,,,,,,,Haven't"
Read more

Anna says, "Just finished a full day of pre-op tests"
Read more

Suelynn says, "Hi Heart Friends! I am scheduled for my"
Read more

Find Heart Valve Surgeons

Search 1,500 patient-recommended surgeons