Afib with all test being normal

[Slattery]

I am new to the Afib experience. I am schedule to see a cardiologist in two weeks. My question is all my tests came back normal including my Ehco, so why would the heart go into Afib?

Shannon

[BobD Volunteer]

Good news then Shannon.

AF is very often the only thing wrong with a heart. It is not a mechanical problem it is an electrical malfunction like if you spill coffee on your keyboard and it gets confused. What happens is that rogue electrical signals start to fly about which cause the natural pacing of the heart to go into irregular rhythm. (simplified explanation!). There are many possible causes for this, genetic pre-disposition.. over exercise, binge drinking, etc can all make it start. Many people have lone AF in other words they have no other heart problems . It can be paroxysmal (comes and goes on its own) or persistent (needs cardioversion to correct). It is a really mongrel condition where few people experience it the same but the good news is it wont kill you although it may feel that way some times.

At your stage of the game you need knowledge so that you can make all the right choices so go to AF Association main website and read all the fact sheet you can digest. Knowledge is power and can banish fear.

Ask away and we will try to help.

Bob

[Slattery in reply to BobD]

Bob,

Thank you for this clear information, I will go to AF main website to learn more. Have a wonderful day.

Shannon

[Finvola]

Yes - it's a provoking question - one I asked my cardiologist. Apart from things which are thought to be triggers, there needs to be a predisposition in the heart in the first place. This predisposition makes arrhythmias more likely as we age, or react to triggers such as stress. Some opinion has it that there may be a genetic link and many of us have relatives with the condition - the predisposition again.

[Jonathan_C]

I have a structural abnormality in my heart and my cardiologist wasn't willing to confidently say that is the cause of my a-fib. He was like "we don't know what causes it" and he has been in the game a long time.

Thats not my point - importantly you should be on blood thinners if you are in a-fib (or even at risk of getting).