After a 2017 atrial fibrillation (A-fib) diagnosis, Bill Shirley felt himself slow down.
“I didn’t know much about A-fib at first because mine was mild and unexpected,” he recalls.
He went in for a routine examination when a nurse informed him that he was experiencing A-fib, even though he felt mostly fine.
“I might’ve felt a rapid heartbeat sometimes, but I wasn’t too scared,” he said. “Over time though, it started to feel like the medication treating my A-fib and the A-fib itself were both getting stronger.”
In late 2022, motivated by his search for a long-term solution to his A-fib, Bill decided to get a second opinion on his A-fib treatment. After consulting with friends, family, and even customers of his custom-home construction business, he decided to visit Northside Forsyth, a short drive from home.
It was at Northside Forsyth where he eventually connected with Dr. Alok Gambhir, chief of cardiac electrophysiology at Northside Hospital Heart Institute. After an initial examination, Dr. Gambhir suggested Bill undergo an ablation to treat the A-fib.
“I remember Dr. Gambhir telling me I had a 75% chance of treating the A-fib in one go, which surprised me,” Shirley mentioned, “so in February 2023, I decided to move forward with the procedure.”
While Bill saw improvement in his A-fib, he was still taking daily medication and had periods of feeling unwell.
He recalls, “When I was suffering from A-fib, I couldn’t practice baseball with my grandkids because I would get tired, and I couldn’t travel and walk throughout the city my wife and I were exploring because I would get short-winded in a shorter amount of time.”
Determined, in part by Dr. Gambhir’s confidence in the treatment and desire to stop taking daily medicine, Bill underwent a “tune-up” ablation procedure in August 2023, six months after his initial procedure. This follow-up procedure helped treat his A-fib in a way that allowed him to stop taking his daily medication.
Bill exclaimed, “I can’t remember when I felt as good as I feel now!”
Since his ablation, he’s lost 40 pounds and finally feels like he can enjoy his life again.
“I’ve been doing more traveling now that I feel better. In fact, I recently went to Seattle with my wife, and we rented a car but didn’t really use it. I was able to walk from shop to shop and explore the city on foot without feeling too tired. I was missing out on those experiences and am thoroughly grateful to be a part of them now.”
Throughout his patient journey, Bill says he felt supported by friends and family, especially by his wife and two sons, whom he works with daily. He also recalls the comfort of Northside Hospital staff checking in on him after his ablation and making sure he was recovering well.
Bill’s treatment and recovery journey has inspired him to share his own story, in hopes others can find the right treatment for their A-fib and get back to a healthier, normal life.
“If I were talking to a friend, I would want them to know they don’t have to live with A-fib. I would encourage them to get evaluated and to see what options there are beyond their current or previous treatment.”
At 71, Bill, is not scared of the future because he knows he’s in good hands. Thanks to the incredible care he’s received at Northside, Bill has been able to return to doing the things he loves and spending time with his loved ones. His gratitude to Northside’s staff extends from Dr. Gambhir to the nursing staff that ensure his recovery was a success.
“There are a few unknowns and questions I have for my next check-up in a few months, but for now I am happy and living in the now.”
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Learn more about Northside Hospital Heart Institute and cardiac surgery at Northside.
