HealthNotes

It’s frustrating when the treatment for a medical condition causes even more health problems.

That’s what was happening to James Armond, 80, a retired field supervisor for the Southern California Gas Company, who was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib) 30 years ago. AFib is a heart rhythm disorder in which the heart’s upper chambers (atria) beat rapidly and chaotically, out of sync with the lower chambers (ventricles). Untreated, this condition can lead to blood clots in the heart, increasing the risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications, which makes timely diagnosis and treatment extremely important.

Over the years, Mr. Armond’s doctors managed his AFib primarily with medications, including beta blockers and calcium channel blockers to slow the abnormally rapid heart rate (tachycardia) that occurs during atrial fibrillation episodes. As he got older, however, Mr. Armond was less able to tolerate these medications.