Afib/murmur issue cardiologist has referred me to electrophysiologist. will l have to do ep study before they can treat afib?

Treat Atrial Fib: Regardless of what the Electrophysiologist reccomneds you should be on medications to control your heart rate. Rate control, and in certain patients anticoagulation (blood thining medication) are the basic treatment for Atrial Fibrillation. Yes, "Atrial ablation" after EP study is the latest treatment. You might also want to ask your cardiologist to explain why in your case Node ablation is neede

Atrial fib: When they do the study they will try and ablate the focus of the problem. The study and treatment are at the same time. This is not always successful, but if it is you are in luck an well be done with it. Good luck

EP not usually first: An EP study is not usually a must to start treating Atrial fibrillation. A murmur does not require an EP study for treatment to begin. Usually, in a situation like yours,an ultrasound picture and evaluation of your heart is done and medication management can be started. If this management fails then an EP study may be done to find the Afib origin and remove this origin site.