Uncovering AFib: The Unexpected Turn in One Man's Health Journey

For Joe Pompa, family is everything; it’s his driving force in all that he does. He knows that to be his best, he needs to be healthy. His commitment to health is why Joe schedules routine doctor’s visits and screenings. In fact, he recently scheduled a colorectal screening before he was even due, just to be proactive.

"I lost a friend to colon cancer, and one of the last things he said to us was, 'Get screened. Do it for your family,'" Joe recalled. "I took that to heart. I have a lot to live for, a wife of 34 years, three kids and two grandkids."

Joe went in for his routine colonoscopy in the spring. As the medical team was preparing for the procedure, they did some tests and noticed something unusual.

"They asked me, 'Do you feel okay?' I said, 'Yeah, I feel fine.' And then they said, 'Well, it looks like you may have atrial fibrillation,'" Joe recalled.

Joe was shocked; he had gone in for a digestive health procedure, only to learn that he might have a heart condition.  

"I was scared. I thought about my family. My mind was racing with thoughts of what this could mean for my future and how it might impact the people I love the most," said Joe.

Following his doctor's advice, Joe put the colonoscopy on hold and went to see a cardiologist.

An Atrial Fibrillation Diagnosis

Atrial fibrillation, or AFib, is the most common type of arrhythmia, which is an irregular heart rhythm. AFib occurs when the two upper chambers of the heart, known as the atria, experience chaotic electrical signals, causing them to quiver or fibrillate instead of contracting properly. Some symptoms of AFib include noticeable heart palpitations, characterized by a rapid, fluttering or pounding heartbeat. Many people also experience fatigue, shortness of breath and dizziness or lightheadedness.

However, some people experience little to no symptoms as in the case with Joe. He said maybe twice a year he had a heart palpitation, but it was so infrequent he didn’t think anything of it. His doctor tried several initial treatments.

“I took medication to treat AFib. Doctors also tried to shock my heart back into rhythm. It didn’t seem like those methods were getting the results that we wanted. Then I was referred to Dr. Khashayar Hematpour, an electrophysiologist, and that changed my life,” said Joe.

A Life-Changing Procedure

Dr. Khashayar Hematpour, an electrophysiologist affiliated with Memorial Hermann, met with Joe and discussed his condition.

"When I first met Joe, he was understandably concerned about his health. We discussed various treatment options and I assured him that we would find a long-term solution for his AFib so he could get back to enjoying time with his family," Dr. Hematpour recalled.

If left untreated, AFib can lead to serious health issues such as stroke, heart failure, and other heart-related complications.

Typically, electrophysiologists treat AFib patients by performing an ablation, a minimally invasive procedure that involves using a catheter to reach the patient's heart. During the procedure, extreme heat (radiofrequency ablation) or extreme cold (cryoablation) is used to correct the arrhythmia by destroying the abnormal tissue causing the irregular heart rhythm.

However, a new technique called pulse field ablation (PFA) is emerging as an innovative treatment option. PFA uses electrical pulses to selectively target and ablate cardiac tissue without causing significant damage to surrounding tissues.

Dr. Hematpour thought Joe would be a good candidate for the PFA procedure. "PFA is particularly beneficial for patients like Joe, as it offers a precise and safer approach to targeting abnormal heart tissue without damaging surrounding structures,” said Dr. Hematpour.

On the day of the procedure, Joe was understandably nervous, but he found comfort in the reassuring words of Dr. Hematpour.

"A lot of the day was a blur. Everything was running through my head, but I remember Dr. Hematpour saying everything would be okay and I knew it would be," Joe recalled.

Joe was right. After the procedure, he woke up feeling better, both physically and mentally. He was relieved and eager to get back home to his family.

Home is Where the Heart Is

Joe arrived home after the procedure with a healthier heart and a greater appreciation for life. Being an advocate for his health and getting screened may have saved his life in more ways than one.

"The procedure went well and I’m so grateful. I think about it sometimes; if I hadn’t gone in for that colonoscopy, I might not be here today. Who knows what could have happened?" said Joe.

Months after the PFA procedure, Joe went back to the doctor and got his colonoscopy. He will continue to stay on top of all his screenings. After all, at 57 years old, Joe says he has many years ahead of him.

"I have so much left to do," said Joe. "I want to see my grandkids grow up, be there for my children's milestones and cherish every moment with my wife. This experience has reinforced the importance of maintaining my health. I’m committed to making the most of every day and being present for all the wonderful moments life has to offer."

To learn more about ways to treat AFib click here.