Brunswick County man shares AFib experience after open-heart surgery
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — September is Atrial Fibrillation Awareness Month, and one Brunswick County man is sharing his experience after developing the heart condition while recovering from open-heart surgery.
George Mandley, of Bolivia, underwent open-heart surgery earlier this year at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. While recovering, Mandley said his heart suddenly went into atrial fibrillation, or AFib, with his heart rate jumping from about 80 beats per minute to 180.
Mandley said the sudden change was frightening, particularly as he was still recovering from surgery.
“I’m an old man. I was scared. I didn’t know what to expect, what was going on,” Mandley said. “The staff was terrific. I can’t say enough about them.”
AFib is an irregular heart rhythm. Possible symptoms can include feeling lightheaded or experiencing a fluttering sensation in the chest.
Hyla Smith, a nurse at New Hanover Regional Medical Center, said Mandley’s heart rhythm was being closely monitored following surgery. When he developed AFib, staff members were able to recognize the change and begin treatment within minutes.
“He had a complete turnaround within minutes, and he was able to catch his breath,” Smith said. “And I was able to talk him through that this was something that was just temporary while the heart was healing.”
People who experience possible symptoms of an abnormal heart rhythm outside a hospital are encouraged to get checked so doctors can determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
