Beacon Health (South Bend) warns untreated atrial fibrillation can raise stroke risk

Beacon Health System announced on 2026-10-08 that atrial fibrillation — an irregular and often fast heart rhythm — can significantly increase stroke risk if left untreated. The system’s release cites Venkata (Annie) Narla, MD, an electrophysiologist with Beacon Medical Group Advanced Cardiology Specialists in South Bend, who explained that when the heart’s upper chambers (the atria) quiver instead of contracting normally, blood can pool, clots may form and travel to the brain, causing a stroke.

Dr. Narla listed common Afib symptoms (fast fluttering or pounding heartbeat, chest pain, dizziness, fatigue, lightheadedness, shortness of breath and weakness), noted some people have no symptoms, and identified risk factors such as family history, smoking, excessive alcohol use, obesity, high blood pressure and thyroid disease. She recommended avoiding tobacco, controlling high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a low-salt, low-saturated-fat diet, exercising, managing stress, getting adequate sleep (generally seven to nine hours nightly) and seeing a provider for unusual symptoms. The release also notes electrolyte imbalances can contribute to abnormal heart rhythms.

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