Does AF run in families?

[24yearsandcounting]

I started with Afib about 24 years ago, but was told that it was nothing to worry about. In April this year, I finally had an ECG and was diagnosed properly, and sent home with a wheelbarrow full of pills.

Recently I was talking to my brother in Holland (whom I don't speak to very often) and he told me that he had recently been diagnosed with Afib too, and was due to go for an ablation very shortly. We both recalled how our father would have to rest in his chair for a couple of days after doing strenuous or lengthy physical work. He lived until he was 96 unlike his father who had several strokes and died in his fifties. I am 69; my brother is 71. neither of us has any children. Is it hereditary?

[CDreamer]

Yes, my father had AF. I think the genetic element is still being researched but plenty of anecdotal evidence in these posts.

[Hidden]

My mother has just died aged 98, has never taken a tablet in her life but always complained of her heart going bump bump all night, I didn't even know she had AF untill it was on her death certificate, I have P A F, makes me wonder about treatment though, should I be medicated or be like my mother, definitely hereditary in my case, Moreen

[doodle68]

There was another thread on this subject not long ago in which I posted a link to current research on the subject of a familial connection to AF being undertaken in Australia .

My Brother was diagnosed with AF a couple of years ago and I have had PAF for a number of years.

I think looking back that my Father had undiagnosed PAF , he had all the symptoms and died 25 years ago before so much was known about AF.

[jeanjeannie50]

Yes, my mother had it. It wasn't diagnosed until shortly before her death from cancer aged 60.

[Barb1]

Absolutely

[Pita]

Yes, My father had AF and other heart conditions.

[Beehive1]

Yes and I also wonder if it is an autoimmune system disorder given the relationship to thyroid and the variety of autoimmune issues in my family.

[CDreamer in reply to Beehive1]

Beehive - there is a striated muscle antibody which targets the myocarda muscle which is known to cause Arrythmias, if I can find the study I will post a link. There is a blood test for the antibody - I am going to ask my neuro for the test next time I see hi. As I have always been convinced that there is a link between my Autoimmune & AF.

[Beehive1 in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you. Sounds interesting and I am also convinced there is a link.

[CDreamer in reply to Beehive1]

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

You will see the named antibody and I know the Mayo Clinic test for it and there is a U.K. Lab which will test, not sure on the NHS as I know my AChR test cost thousands!

The research is on Myasthenia - I think because it is the most researched autoimmune disease because it was one of the first to be understood. There is a trial for a vaccine (not preventative) in clinical trials in Europe & US for a cure. If successful, then it will be rolled out for other autoimmune diseases. Fingers crossed!

[Beehive1 in reply to CDreamer]

Thank you

[Hidden]

I know my cousin Roy has AF (the only cousin I know on that side of the family) and, while my parents didn't talk at all about their ailments, my father was on warfarin for what my mother vaguely called 'thick blood'. I suspect he had AF. Plus it's on the death certificate of a great-grandmother, so yes, pretty sure it does run in families.

[BobD Volunteer]

In order to have AF you need a predisposition which can be genetic or acquired. Acquired as in alcohol related or over exercise. (Endurance athletes and fighter pilots.) The genetic part obviously goes in families although like all genetic things can jump generations. There hasn't been a male member of my family on my paternal side die before at least 90 for three generations but there is a possibility my father had it undiagnosed. He died at 93! My maternal Grandmother was over 100 but spent a lot of time having afternoon naps so may have too. She died of a stoke at 100 and a half.

[Hidden]

I think pretty well anything can be genetic to one extent or another. That doesn't mean you will inherit something, just that you may.

[julesp]

My folks both have af and I do too. We knew my mam had it and was diagnosed a few year before me. My dad has only just had it confirmed after he was in hospital for something else. So I def think it's genetic x

[Chris147]

I believe my father did. At the time when I had taken him for an ECG and his heart was making a sound like I had not heard before i didnt know about af. Of course now it all becomes evident.

[Jans5]

Myself and my sis have been diagnosed with afib, my mum also had the same symptoms but was undiagnosed. We all started with symptoms at the start of menopause. I also had episodes when my children were babies but then nothing for 20 years.

[Amcech]

I believe so. My dad had AF, my sister has had AF, my uncle, my nephew, and myself.

[annlynne]

Hi, I am now 73 and was diagnosed with PAF when I was around 53 years . I was due to have an ablation when I was early 59s but had a massive stroke before I could have the op. It has left me with limited use of my left side limbs. My mother and all three of her siblings had Afib and all four died of strokes. I have researched the family tree and found a particular line who seem to die early of strokes. One ancestor lost 9 of her 11 infants to seizures. There would definitely seem to be a genetic link. It is only in the last three or four years that doctors have accepted AF stroke. I might add I have never smoked in my life and MRI scans show minimal arterial damage.