The goal of our atrial fibrillation team is to improve your health by reducing symptoms, preventing complications, improving quality of life and preventing long-term illness.

1. Atrial Fibrillation
Treatment Program
The goal of our atrial fibrillation
About Our Centers of Excellence — The Cancer, Diabetes, Heart
and Vascular, and Orthopedics Centers of Excellence deliver
seamless programs of quality and compassionate care for patients
across our health care system. Developed to meet the needs of our
community, our centers offer an experienced team approach to
specialized treatment, advanced therapies and breakthrough clinical
trials. Our highly trained physicians and staff provide patientcentered care in modern facilities with the latest technologies as we
educate tomorrow’s health care leaders and advance science
through research at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
team is to improve your health by
reducing symptoms, preventing
complications, improving quality
of life and preventing long-term
illness. Our experts use the latest
technology, and work with you to
develop a treatment plan.
UMassMemorial
Health Care
UMass Memorial Health Care is the largest not-for-profit health
care system in Central New England with more than 13,000
employees and nearly 2,000 physicians, many of whom are
members of UMass Memorial Medical Group. Our member
hospitals and entities include Clinton Hospital, HealthAlliance
Hospital, Marlborough Hospital, UMass Memorial Medical Center,
Wing Memorial Hospital and Medical Centers and Community
Healthlink, our behavioral health agency. With our teaching and
research partner, the University of Massachusetts Medical School,
our extensive primary care network and our Cancer, Diabetes,
Heart and Vascular, and Musculoskeletal Centers of Excellence we
deliver seamless programs of quality and compassionate care for
patients across our health care system.
Follow umassmemorial on:
Atrial Fibrillation Treatment Program
UMass Memorial Medical Center
55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA 01655
Tel: 877-617-AFIB (2342)
www.umassmemorial.org/afib
UMassMemorial
Health Care
Rev 0113
MRKTG

2. What Is Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia, or
irregular heart rhythm, worldwide. It affects more than
2.3 million people in the United States alone, and this
number is expected to grow as our population ages.
Atrial fibrillation is a major cause of disability among
In addition, people with abnormal heart valves, lung
disease, including sleep apnea, thyroid disease, and/or
diabetes, may develop atrial fibrillation. Sometimes,
healthy people can develop atrial fibrillation from
increased use of alcohol or caffeine, stress, fatigue
and exercise.
Americans.
Symptoms of atrial fibrillation include:
Atrial fibrillation results from abnormal electrical
• Heart palpitations (pounding in the chest)
function in your heart’s upper chambers. Instead of
• Irregular pulse or heart rate
contracting or squeezing normally, these chambers
• Weakness
fibrillate or “quiver,” causing fast, irregular heart rates,
• Lightheadedness
and poor pumping of blood.
• Confusion
People with atrial fibrillation may have severe symptoms
• Shortness of breath
and may also develop serious complications, including
• Chest pain or pressure
About Our Atrial Fibrillation
Treatment Program
stroke, heart failure (decreased pumping function of
• Fatigue
The goal of our atrial fibrillation team is to improve
• Decreased energy level or level of activity
your health by reducing symptoms, preventing
the heart) and death.
• Passing out/fainting
complications, improving quality of life and
preventing long-term illness. Our experts use the
What Causes Atrial Fibrillation?
latest technology and work with you to develop a
Although atrial fibrillation may run in your family, in
How Is Atrial Fibrillation Treated?
most cases diseases of the heart and blood vessels such
Treatment of atrial fibrillation focuses on reducing your
as hypertension (high blood pressure), coronary artery
symptoms and preventing complications. Medications
disease (blockages in the blood vessels of the heart) and
are often used to control heart rate and prevent blood
heart failure are thought to lead to its development.
clots and stroke. Sometimes electrical cardioversion
treatment plan that may include the following:
• Advanced arrhythmia monitoring
• Anti-arrhythmic medications
• Anti-coagulant medications, known as blood
(shock therapy) and special medications called anti-
thinners (managed by our award-winning
arrhythmics are used to restore and maintain a normal
Anticoagulation Clinic nurses, technicians and
Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms
heart rhythm. Exciting new atrial fibrillation treatment
physicians)
The symptoms of atrial fibrillation are different for each
options including ablation therapies (nonsurgical
• Electrical cardioversion or shock therapy
person. You may experience few, if any, symptoms.
procedures) are available through programs like the
• Catheter-based, nonsurgical ablation procedures
However, if you have symptoms they may affect your
Atrial Fibrillation Treatment Program at UMass Memorial
quality of life. Symptoms vary by age, how fast your
Medical Center.
heart beats, and the presence of other medical
• Surgical atrial fibrillation ablation procedures
(including minimally invasive procedures)
conditions.
For information about our treatment program, contact our program coordinator at 877-617-AFIB (2342).