Sibling AF

[cutlips]

Both myself and my brother have AF. He is 7 years older than me. I actually had AF first, with it starting when I was 33. His didn’t start until he was 49. My AF brings a fast heart rate, whereas his heart rate stays quite low.

What are people’s experiences when siblings, or other family members both have AF? Do you tend to follow the same AF ‘path’? Or does the AF manifest itself differently between family members?

Is there an established hereditary link to AF?

Any idea on the chance of our children inheriting AF?

Many thanks

[Hidden]

I've had AF since the age of 48 . ....Im now 73 (Just!) I'm one of 5 siblings. My eldest brother was diagnosed 2 years ago quite by chance as he is asymptomatic ie was quite unaware of it with a barely raised heart rate. On the other hand I've been highly symptomatic from the start with many dramas over the years.

Both of us have had very different lifestyles.

Sandra

[BobD Volunteer]

I would say that you don't inherit AF but there may well be a genetic weakness which may allow it if other considerations occur. Slightly pedantic maybe but important to consider. Not everybody within a family may get it in other words.

[Maggimunro]

Hi cutlips

My mother had what I now realise was Afib for at least the last 40 years of her life. Technology back then reduced her options to medication but I clearly remember her “off weeks” when she could barely drag herself around.

My brother in the States also has Afib, but he responds well to medication and, to be honest, he didn’t even know he had it until a routine health check picked it up.

I have had it for fo 20 plus years but wasn’t diagnosed until 18 months ago. I couldn’t tolerate the drugs and so have had one highly successful ablation for my SVT and 2 successful ablations for my Afib.

I am sure there is a strong familial link for heart arrhythmias but as you can see in my case, we all reacted differently.

[Hidden]

Out of a large number of relatives that I'm in touch with only one has AF. It's short lived but makes her feel 'weak as a kitten'. Mine last a few hours but is fairly mild.

Worryingly I have two second cousins who have had brain haemorrhages. One, at only 47, was swiftly fatal.

[Plantwords]

My older brother (who is 1.5 years older) was diagnosed with AF about 2 years after I was; however, in fact, he had AF some 5-7 years prior to me that went undiagnosed. His AF was not as severe but is now more or less permanent, whereas, my symptoms were difficult to manage and, after 7 years of trying everything, I had an ablation last year. I also found out that a first cousin was diagnosed with AF a year after I was. There was a history of heart issues going back 2 generations (two great aunts died before their teen years). Also, had an uncle who died suddenly of a heart attack at age 54 who had no prior diagnosed heart issue. So, what does this say about genetics? My genomics analysis said I was at very low risk for AF but I have it!