How long can you live with atrial fibrillation?

Question

Posted 2 years ago in Heart Health by Mydog

Answers

Anonymous

Atrial fibrillation is not usually fatal though the person with this disease is more likely to suffer from palpitations, fainting, chest pain, or congestive heart failure. People with atrial fibrillation are also seven times more likely to suffer from a stroke which can be life-threatening.

What is Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is an abnormal heart rhythm. The heart's electrical system normally sends regularly spaced, predictable signals, telling the heart muscle to contract, or beat.

The heart has two upper chambers, called atria, and two lower chambers, called ventricles. Each signal starts in the atria and travels to the rest of the heart. In atrial fibrillation, the electrical signals from the atria are fast and irregular. The atria quiver, rather than contract. Some signals do not reach the ventricles and the ventricles continue pumping, usually irregularly and sometimes rapidly. This uncoordinated rhythm can reduce the heart's efficiency at pumping blood out to the body. Blood left in the heart chambers can form clots. These clots may sometimes break away, travel to the brain, and cause a Stroke.

Read More about Atrial Fibrillation...

Learn

What It Is Learn the basics of this condition. Find out what you're dealing with.	Causes What causes Atrial Fibrillation? Learn what the medical community has uncovered.	Risk Factors Are you at risk of getting Atrial Fibrillation? Inside you'll find known risk factors for the condition.
Diagnosis How will your doctor diagnose you with this condition? Learn about the tests, process, and more.	Symptoms What are the Atrial Fibrillation symptoms? Are you showing any? Learn more today.	Complications Can this condition lead to other health problems? Learn more about the known complications.

Take Action

Screening Learn more about the specific tests or exams given by your doctor to screen for Atrial Fibrillation.	Medications What medications offer relief or help with this condition? Are there side effects? Risks? Learn more.	Prevention How can you prevent Atrial Fibrillation? Read what the medical community suggests for prevention methods.
Treatment Can this condition be treated? What Atrial Fibrillation treatment options are available?	Care Learn more about the day to day care of this condition. Changes to your activity, diet, exercise, and more.	Find a Doctor Do you need to contact a doctor about Atrial Fibrillation? Select a location to find a specialist in your area.