Atrial Fibrillation Center - Joplin, MO
Joplin Cardiologist Doctors for Atrial FibrillationType of Physician: Cardiologist What is a Cardiologist? A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners are expert in diseases of the heart, lungs and blood vessels. They consult with surgeons on heart surgery, perform diagnostic procedures, and manage complex conditions such as heart attacks and arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeat). Specialty: Cardiology Common Name: Heart Doctor Cardiologist Doctors in Joplin * Heart Care & Surgical Associates  Heart Care & Surgical Associates  St Johns Medical Center Columbus  Heart Care & Surgical Associates  St Johns Heart Care  Freeman Heart Center  Freeman Heart Center  Freeman Heart Institute  Freeman Heart Center  Freeman Heart Center  Freeman Heart Center  Ferrell-Duncan Clinic Cardiology  Ferrell-Duncan Clinic Cardiology  Ferrell-Duncan Clinic Cardiology  Ferrell-Duncan Clinic Cardiology  Ferrell-Duncan Clinic Cardiology  Ferrell-Duncan Clinic Cardiology  St John's Clinic Cardiology  St John's Clinic Cardiology  St John's Clinic Cardiology  St John's Clinic Cardiology  St John's Clinic Cardiology  St John's Clinic Cardiology  St John's Clinic Cardiology  St John's Clinic Cardiology  St John's Clinic Cardiology  St John's Clinic Cardiology  St John's Clinic Cardiology  St John's Clinic Cardiology  St John's Clinic Cardiology  Branson Heart Center  Branson Heart Center  Branson Heart Center Joplin, MissouriUpcoming Local Events2012-05-26
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Atrial FibrillationRead the Atrial Fibrillation article » What is atrial fibrillation?Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common, abnormal rhythm of the heart. The heart contracts (beats) and pumps blood with a regular rhythm, for example,
at a rate of 60 beats per minute there is a beat every second. The heart may
beat faster or slower with a shorter or longer interval between beats, but at
any one rate the interval between beats is constant. This regular rhythm occurs
as a result of regular electrical discharges (currents) that travel through the
heart and cause the muscle of the heart to contract. In atrial fibrillation, the electrical
discharges are irregular and rapid and, as a result, the heart beats irregularly
and, usually, rapidly.
What causes atrial fibrillation?Normal function of the heart The heart has four chambers. The upper two chambers are the atria, and the lower two chambers are the ventricles. Blood returning to the heart from the body in the superior and inferior vena cava contains low levels of oxygen and high levels of carbon dioxide. This blood flows into the right atrium and then into the adjacent right ventricle. After the ventricle fills, contraction of the right atrium pumps additional blood into the right ventricle. The right ventricle then contracts and pumps the blood to the lungs where the blood takes up oxygen and gives off carbon dioxide. The blood then flows from the lungs to the left atrium and into the adjacent left ventricle. Contraction of the left atrium pumps additional blood into the left ventricle. The left ventricle then contracts and pumps the blood to the rest of the body. The heartbeat (pulse) that we feel is caused by the contraction of the ventricles. The ventricles must deliver enough blood to the ... Recommended Reading Related to Atrial FibrillationHeart Attack Prevention Overview » IntroductionCoronary atherosclerosis is the hardening and narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. Coronary atherosclerosis is the major cause of heart attacks. Heart attacks are the major cause of sudden unexpected death among otherwise healthy adults in the prime of their lives. Heart attacks are also a significant cause of heart failure (due to weakened heart muscle) in this country. Heart failure considerably decreases a person's longevity and quality of life. In dollar terms, coronary heart disease is costly. The total cost of coronary artery bypass surgery, coronary angioplasty and stenting, medications, and hospitalizations exceeds 50 billion dollars annually. Coronary atherosclerosis, and hence heart attacks, are preventable. A person can significantly lower his or her risk of heart attack by lowering high blood pressure, controlling diabetes, stopping cigarett... Other Related Atrial Fibrillation ArticlesEmergency Contact for Joplin
Nearby Joplin Hospitals *St John's Regional Medical Center Joplin Freeman Health System Freeman East Hospital Landmark Hospital of Joplin McCune Brooks Regional Hospital Freeman Neosho Hospital St John's Maude Norton Memorial Hospital Mt Carmel Regional Medical Center INTEGRIS Baptist Regional Health Center Willow Crest Hospital Barton County Memorial Hospital Oswego Medical Center Cox Monett Hospital Girard Medical Center Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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