A member of the Royal College of Physicians of London, Sanjiv Narayan is a professor of cardiovascular medicine at Stanford University. Dr. Sanjiv Narayan is dedicated to developing innovative and advanced solutions for treating atrial fibrillation. When an episode of atrial fibrillation (characterized as an irregular beat in the upper heart chamber) lasts for less than a week, it is known as a paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. In patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, the heartbeat typically returns to normal within a seven-day period. Episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation may recur a few times each year, or more often. The symptoms of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation may include chest pain or pressure, heart palpitations, dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Diagnosing paroxysmal atrial fibrillation requires studying the heart when an episode of abnormal heart rhythms is occurring. However, these episodes can be elusive and therefore difficult to track. In addition, not all episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation result in symptoms, so it is quite possible to monitor a patient’s condition outside of an episode if monitoring is performed on a periodic basis. One way in which doctors overcome this challenge is by placing an event monitor (a portable electrocardiogram that measures heart activity continuously) on the patient’s chest. Other tests, such as blood tests, stress tests, or X-rays can also be performed, although these tests typically produce less conclusive information.

1. Sanjiv Narayan

2. A member of the Royal College of Physicians of London,
Sanjiv Narayan is a professor of cardiovascular medicine at
Stanford University. Dr. Sanjiv Narayan is dedicated to
developing innovative and advanced solutions for treating
atrial fibrillation.

3. When an episode of atrial fibrillation (characterized as an irregular
beat in the upper heart chamber) lasts for less than a week, it is known
as a paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. In patients with paroxysmal atrial
fibrillation, the heartbeat typically returns to normal within a seven-day
period. Episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation may recur a few times
each year, or more often.The symptoms of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
may include chest pain or pressure, heart palpitations, dizziness,
fatigue, and shortness of breath.

4. Diagnosing paroxysmal atrial fibrillation requires studying the
heart when an episode of abnormal heart rhythms is occurring.
However, these episodes can be elusive and therefore difficult to
track. In addition, not all episodes of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation
result in symptoms, so it is quite possible to monitor a patient’s
condition outside of an episode if monitoring is performed on a
periodic basis. One way in which doctors overcome this challenge
is by placing an event monitor (a portable electrocardiogram that
measures heart activity continuously) on the patient’s chest. Other
tests, such as blood tests, stress tests, or X-rays can also be
performed, although these tests typically produce less conclusive
information.