HEALTHWISE Magazine
Spring 2009
Mellanie lived in fear of her Afib, and caution
became her top priority "l never knew when an
episode would strike - I might be washing the
dog or out walking or even on a conference
call - and was always afraid. My episodes
would start with a skipped heart beat, followed
by strong heart palpitations. My heart would
race and pound, and then the dizziness would
overwhelm me, I would become light-headed,
and be afraid of passing out."
With the burden of weekly blood draws,
unsuccessful medications, fear of stroke, and
a lifestyle change that left her never far from
a hospital, Mellanie looked for a treatment.
She decided on minimally-invasive Afib surgery after researching, discussing
with her doctor, and asking tor a referral, she met with cardiac surgeons
to understand the procedure and address ner endless questions. "It was a
no-brainer," she says. "l was intrigued by the potential ot pulmonary vein
isolation to eliminate my Afib, and l was especially fascinated that the
rernoval of the left atrial appendage could eliminate my stroke risk"
On September 13, 2005, Mellanie had the surgery. "Though it was surgery,
with risks and anesthesia, l have no regrets," she says. "You can't put a price
on getting your freedom back."
Mellanie praises all those who made this surgery possible because they
restored her lite and freedom. Would she do it again? ln a heart beat. For
more on Mellanie's story, go to
www.StopAfib.org.
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