Dr. Charles Athill, a medical practitioner at Sharp Memorial Hospital, has dedicated over two decades of his life to the study and treatment of atrial fibrillation (AFib), a condition that also affected his father.
"If a doctor is not able to explain the underlying issue and get the patient to buy into the therapies that are prescribed, they won't be able to manage their condition", said Charles Athill, according to SHARP. "There is a crisis in medicine today despite all the technological advances and dedicated doctors and nurses, Everyone needs to work harder to provide more resources, so each person is guaranteed access to health care. I always ensure their voice is heard, their perspective is understood and that they feel respected while under my care."
Sharp Health News reports that AFib is a condition characterized by an irregular heartbeat caused by a defect in the heart's structure. This irregularity arises when electrical signals in the atrium malfunction, leading to an out-of-sync heartbeat. The most significant concern for patients with AFib is the heightened risk of stroke. This risk stems from the potential formation of blood clots due to irregular heartbeats, which can then travel to the brain and trigger a stroke.
According to Sharp Health News, Athill's interest in AFib is deeply personal. His father suffered from this condition, and more recently, his brother was diagnosed with it as well. His brother now battles with heart failure. These familial experiences have fueled Athill's compassion and dedication towards understanding and treating AFib.
Sharp Health News further reports that Athill is an alumnus of Harvard Medical School and has been practicing medicine since 1998. He specializes in Atrial Fibrillation, Electrophysiology studies, Internal defibrillator insertion among other areas of practice.
