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.
“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?”
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.
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!
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?”
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.
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!
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…
Ed Can Walk Up Stairs Again Thanks to a Mitral Valve & Maze Procedure!
Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Medical Expert: Patrick McCarthy, MD, Executive Director of the Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute
Published: May 16, 2025
He was short of breath. He could not walk up stairs. He was afraid. Then, Edward Clinton ended up in the emergency room.
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.
“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”
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?
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”
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?”
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.
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?”
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?”
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.
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.
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.
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