Atrial Fibrillation and Other Rhythm Disorders: What 10 Public Figures Have Shared

Heart rhythm disorders can look very different from one person to another. Some people notice a racing, fluttering, or skipped beat; others learn of a problem during a routine check or after feeling faint. Stories shared by 10 public figures illustrate that range, but they can’t tell someone what their own symptoms mean or which care they might need.

Atrial fibrillation, often called afib, is the most common form of treated arrhythmia. An estimated 12.1 million people in the United States have the condition. Other rhythm disorders include supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), which causes a fast heart rate, and bradycardia, in which the rate is slow. Whether a rhythm needs treatment depends on the specific problem and the person’s health; some harmless arrhythmias may not require medical intervention.

Symptoms can be easy to misread

Singer Miley Cyrus wrote in her autobiography, Miles to Go, that she has tachycardia, a condition in which her resting heart rate is above the usual range. She hasn’t shared the precise diagnosis. Cyrus described her type as not life-threatening, though it bothers her and can occupy her thoughts while she’s performing. Her account is a reminder that a rhythm problem can feel disruptive even when it isn’t considered dangerous. A medical evaluation can help determine what kind of rhythm change is occurring and whether care is needed.

Gene Simmons, the KISS bassist, said he was diagnosed with afib after experiencing dizziness and shortness of breath onstage. He discussed the diagnosis on The Doctors in 2016, saying it had been made about a decade earlier. Simmons recalled that the explanation was a lot to take in. He has credited rest and hydration with helping him avoid later episodes. Cardiologist Kevin R. Campbell has identified alcohol, caffeine, and stress as possible afib triggers. A trigger can vary between people, so one person’s experience shouldn’t be taken as a guide for someone else.

Billie Jean King’s diagnosis followed a dizzy spell when she was getting out of a taxi and nearly fainted, according to a 2015 report in Parade. Her family doctor confirmed afib. King later underwent catheter ablation, a procedure used to address abnormal electrical signals in the heart, and takes a blood thinner. Her care illustrates that managing afib can involve more than one approach, with decisions shaped by individual circumstances.

Retired basketball star Larry Bird described years of sudden racing heartbeats before he was diagnosed with an arrhythmia. Medication didn’t prevent every episode, and the episodes became more frequent after he retired. King Yee, his cardiologist while Bird coached the Indiana Pacers, once used defibrillator paddles to restore a regular rhythm. The account highlights why recurring or worsening symptoms merit assessment: people may not be able to identify the cause from how an episode feels.

Detection and follow-up matter

Howie Mandel initially attributed fatigue and dizziness to a demanding travel schedule. A routine exam instead detected afib, with his heart beating 170 times per minute. Campbell has said that sustained fast rates can weaken the heart muscle, lower blood pressure enough to cause fainting, and contribute to heart failure; afib is also associated with increased stroke risk. Mandel has since focused on healthy habits to lower his stroke risk. His experience shows how a checkup can uncover a rhythm problem when symptoms have another plausible explanation.

Joe Biden was diagnosed with afib in 2003 during emergency surgery on his gallbladder. His most recent public medical records described him as having no symptoms and not needing medication or electrical treatment to manage his heart rate or rhythm. They listed apixaban (Eliquis), a blood-thinning medicine. Afib symptoms can include palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue, but some people may have no noticeable symptoms. The condition is linked to a higher risk of stroke, which is one reason clinicians consider a person’s overall risk when planning care.

Singer Elton John received a pacemaker in 1999 after tests found an irregular heartbeat, according to Newsweek. Campbell has explained that some people with afib also have episodes when the heart rate becomes too slow. This pattern, called tachycardia-bradycardia syndrome, can arise from problems with the heart’s electrical signaling; a pacemaker may be used when needed to prevent dangerously slow rates. A pacemaker is not a standard solution for every person with afib.

Different diagnoses, different care

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar recalled dizziness and fatigue that he had attributed to aging. In 2021, after leaving a Los Angeles Dodgers game and feeling he might collapse, he was diagnosed with afib at a hospital. He now takes heart medication and sees his doctors regularly. He told NIH MedlinePlus Magazine that the diagnosis led him to pay closer attention to his health. Symptoms that seem familiar or gradual can still be worth discussing with a clinician, especially when they worsen or interfere with daily activities.

Singer Barry Manilow said he first noticed his heart skipping beats while driving home. The sensation became more pronounced, and he later shared his afib diagnosis publicly in 2011 to raise awareness. He now takes medication to manage the condition. A skipped beat by itself doesn’t establish a diagnosis; clinicians use a person’s history and heart rhythm tests to understand what is happening.

Tony Blair was diagnosed with SVT in 2003, according to BBC News. His care first included cardioversion, which uses an electrical shock to restore a regular rhythm. He later had catheter ablation to help prevent further SVT episodes. Campbell has described ablation as a common first treatment option for many types of SVT. Heart rhythm recordings, including an electrocardiogram (EKG), can help clinicians identify the likely source of the abnormal rhythm and discuss suitable options.

These accounts show why a celebrity’s diagnosis or care plan shouldn’t be used to choose treatment for someone else. Persistent or recurring palpitations, faintness, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue are reasons to discuss symptoms with a doctor. A clinician can assess the rhythm and explain whether monitoring, medication, or a procedure is appropriate.