MASON - Teresa Cassaubon has her independence and her life back. And she wants others to know how she did it.

Cassaubon suffered from atrial fibrillation, a common type of abnormal heart rhythm. She wants to raise awareness of the dangerous condition - and a surgery option being performed at Ingham Regional Medical Center.

Cassaubon and cardiac experts Drs. Divyakant Gandhi and John Ip and author and CEO of StopAfib.org, Mellanie True Hills, were scheduled to discuss the cutting-edge treatment Sept. 25 at MSU Kellogg Center.

September is also designed Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month.

A-fib occurs when unruly electrical signals cause the heart's upper chamber to quiver instead of beating properly. About 5 million Americans suffer from A-fib, according to Mayo Clinic researchers. However, because many people with the condition don't experience recognizable symptoms, that number is likely even higher.

A-fib doubles the risk of premature death from heart failure and increases the risk of stroke by 5-fold. That's because it reduces the heart's pumping efficiency, causing blood to pool and clot. A stroke occurs when a clot breaks free and blocks a brain blood vessel.

Unfortunately, one bottleneck to effective treatment can be ignorance of the condition's seriousness and unfamiliaritywith surgical treatment options, according to Gandhi and Ip.

The two cardiac specialists work together to perform a minimally invasive surgical procedure to treat A-fib, in which energy is used to burn specific areas of heart tissue.

The scar tissue created by the ablation-surgical removal of a body part - blocks unruly signals from wreaking havoc on the heart muscle.

The technique has cure rates approaching 80 percent. Because surgeons gain access to the heart through tiny incisions on the side of the rib cage, it isn't necessary for the chest to be opened.

More of these innovative procedures have been performed at Ingham than anywhere else in Michigan.

Cassaubon is among many A-fib sufferers to have the procedure, with her surgery taking place May 22, 2008. Now, at the age of 48, her terrifying two-year ordeal is finally over.

Before the surgery, she she would get sick to her stomach, sweaty and clammy. Also, her family was leery of her traveling because of her delicate condition.

"I always had to find a hospital, how close it was," she said.

Cassaubon's family includes husband Kent and children Gus, Issac, Lucas and Megan.

"My independence was taken away from me," she said.

Cassaubon acknowledged she was "scared and nervous" before the procedure, and even though it was successful, it took her a good six months to get better.

But now Cassaubon no longer suffers from A-fib, and she can take part in tasks like mowing the lawn and tending her flower beds.

"I have my life back," she said.

Gandhi and Ip were not available for comment, but IRMC physician assistant Kevin Jager is familiar with the procedure as he is a member of the surgery team and helps coordinate post-operative care.

He said the operation, which was first performed in the 1980s, used to create scars, plus it required a lengthy hospital stay.

The procedure has evolved to become less invasive, Jager said.

Cassaubon believes people suffering from A-fib who can get the surgery should do just that.

For more information on the special surgery or requesting a physician, call (517) 975-6600