Recapping Navigating Atrial Fibrillation: Key Insights and Strategies for Better Heart Health

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On September 27, 2025, the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation brought together nearly 100 community members to raise awareness about atrial fibrillation (AFib) at the Wilder Foundation in St. Paul, MN. Leading experts from Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute—including Drs. Jay Sengupta, Joseph Decker, and John Zakaib—shared the latest insights on AFib diagnosis and treatment. The event featured inspiring patient Jane McDevitt, who spoke about her personal journey navigating AFib and its challenges.

Atrial fibrillation is the most common heart rhythm disorder, now affecting approximately 10.5 million adults in the United States—about 5% of the population. AFib significantly increases the risk of stroke, heart failure, dementia, and premature death, with patients facing up to a five-fold higher risk of stroke compared to those without the condition. Despite its prevalence and serious health implications, many people remain unaware of AFib’s symptoms, risks, and available treatment options, resulting in delayed diagnosis and suboptimal outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

• Dr. John Zakaib illustrated AFib by likening it to a bar fight in an old Western film: one punch leads to chaos, much like a misfiring electrical signal in the heart can disrupt normal rhythm, causing signals to fire rapidly and unpredictably. He emphasized advances in treatment, stating, “There has never been a better time to have atrial fibrillation than 2025!”
   
• Dr. Joseph Decker traced the evolution of AFib therapies from their origins to today’s cutting-edge options, including pulse field ablation technology, which precisely targets and treats malfunctioning heart tissue.
   
• Dr. Jay Sengupta concluded with an overview of left atrial appendage occlusion: a procedure that seals off the heart’s left atrial appendage and helps prevent blood clots from traveling to the brain, reducing stroke risk in AFib patients.

The event was made possible by grants and exhibits from Abbott, Biosense Webster, Boston Scientific, and Medtronic. The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation team was grateful to host this gathering focused on education, support, and community—leaving participants with a better understanding of atrial fibrillation and strategies for managing it.

Find more resources about heart rhythm disorders and research.