Is Afib progressive?

I spoke to a cardiac nurse this afternoon and she said that Afib was usually progressive, that is it is more or less inevitable that it gets worse over time. Is this correct?

[Hidden]

My understanding is yes it can be, but, not always the case. AF seems to be all things to all people and like many medical conditions it can vary so much from person to person. One feature that seems to be emerging today is how it seems to be hitting younger people more often whereas at one time it seemed to be consistent with older folk.

[Finvola]

The short answer is yes. The longer answer is much more complex.

Progression of AF depends on so many variables, including age, general health, other co morbidities such as heart disease and lifestyle and the version of the condition which we each have.

We can influence some of the impact on our hearts and so perhaps lessen the AF burden. This involves making some very determined changes - weight loss if necessary, dietary awareness and changes, exercise regime, dental care (yes!), mental de-stressing and meditation/mindfulness, happiness and friendships and seeking the best medical help available.

An important factor in AF progression seems to be that AF begets AF, the more you have - the more you will have. For that reason, many follow the ablation route, others like me, opt for drug control of symptoms.

In a very frank and useful talk with my EP, I was told that even with all the measures which I have taken, my AF will progress as I age. For that reason, I decided some time ago to do my best to follow a healthy lifestyle and enjoy my life.

There is a lot of information on the main AFA website about diet and lifestyle ideas which are very helpful.

[BobD Volunteer]

Untreated AF is almost always a progressive condition. Treatment, however, is only really about improving quality of life (QOL) along with prevention of further damage to the heart by allowing uncontrolled rate to lead to other cardiac issues. Successful ablation may prevent AF for a number of years (my last was in 2008 and no AF since) but there is no 100% guaranteed cure and yes it can come back at any time.

[heartbeat4]

While it might be the case now that does not mean it can't change. Research is on going including stem cell if we try our best to look after ourselves who knows what the future holds.

[jeanjeannie50]

Morning Sam, my sister had a few episodes of AF many years ago, she didn't go to the doctor or take any pills. Her attacks didn't go on for days like mine or other peoples and didn't make her feel ill. She pushed it aside and ignored it and she's had none now for many years.

Jean

[dmjtanner in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Jeanjeannie50, how did your sister know she had a fib without going to the doc? This is a very hopeful story!

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to dmjtanner]

She would feel her heart racing.

[dmjtanner in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thank you

[southerngirl in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Irregular beat as well?

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to southerngirl]

I really don't know! My sister is reluctant to talk about any form of illness. She had part of her lung removed three years ago, due to cancer, and she gets very snappy if we dare to ask her how she is. If I get the chance and feel brave enough I will ask.

Jean

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to southerngirl]

My sister called me this morning and I braved the question to which her answer was that she didn't know!

[opal11uk]

From my own experience, yes, however if you can make some lifestyle changes this could help tremendously ie. avoid stress, do not overexercise and keep your weight stable, if you carry excess try and loose some weight etc., eat small meals rather than large, avoid coffee/chocolate and get a good nights sleep and avoid alcohol in fact avoid all stimulants. On visiting the dentist ask for a non adrenalin based anaesthetic. I am sure other members of the group will also give you the benefit of their advice. Good luck

[Hidden]

I suspect it depends on the cause if you can isolate your cause and remove it ie sleep issues, too much booze, excessive weight then in theory you can stop it or reduce its progression to a trickle! one thing none of us can change is age ! If you can reduce the episodes it gives the heart a chance to recover and not remodel to the same degree, not sure if flecainde etc can prevent remodelling maybe somebody on here knows ?

All the best

Andy

[Harrybin]

No...my AF started so bad I passed out...then bouts of Af every few months...then 2 years free...then discovered the usual triggers set it off ie alcohol, strain and shock noise..

now after 7 tears nice and calm with no symptoms.so no

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to Harrybin]

Great news Harry

Are you saying you had no ablations carried out to your heart and are you taking any form of medication now?

Jean

[Harrybin in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Yes from the start Bisoprolol 5mg and amplodipine 5mg also an anti coagulant.

No other treatment other than natural dietary changes with magnesium

[brit1 in reply to Harrybin]

that sounds very hopeful, are you on meds?

[Harrybin in reply to brit1]

Yes Bisoprolol and amplodipine had these from day one

[Tapanac]

Goodness that nurse is a great comforter isn't she. Reading about many people's experience with Afid and flutter, try not to worry it can ease and on the right treatment you can live for a very long time. Stress makes everything worse

[Thomps95]

I’ve had heart rhythm problems since my 20s, and was diagnosed with AF at 50. I’m 61 and in those 11 years my AF has improved - simply because I now take the minimum dose of flecenaide, I had flutter ablation, and I taker better care of myself - so the burden is much reduced. My mother also had AF and lived to 90 and died of something unrelated. My reading is that AF is rapidly progressive only if it’s related to a serious underlying cardiovascular disease. Huge sympathies to those who have a heavy AF burden. But as a stand alone issue, my belief is that AF progresses no more rapidly than our general health does as a function of “ageing”. At an individual level, we can improve our health and reduce our AF burden by taking good care of ourselves - diet, exercise, stress reduction, good sleep habits, a happy outlook on life, and a positive social environment (and maybe avoiding metals like aluminium, but that is more speculative). When people say “it’s progressive” it conjures up images of waiting in fear for a poisonous snake bite to kill you. But for many, AF is a wholly manageable condition and very unlikely to be what you will actually die from

[CDreamer]

Well ......no consensus here then.

So many variables between individuals so my understanding is that the more you have AF the more you are likely to in the future. And there are many, many people who have a couple of episodes and change something in their lives and then nothing.

In the last few months I have gone from having very symptomatic AF every day for 5-7 hours for several weeks to nothing in the last 3 weeks. Every time I think I have this AF thing taped it moves the goal posts and the only consistency is inconsistency.

[baba in reply to CDreamer]

"the only consistency is inconsistency"

I totally agree with this statement

[bushy2016 in reply to baba]

Expect the unexpected....AF

[Brizzy50000]

My AF started about 10 years or more but my GP or i didn't know what it was, that was the start of a long process of pill's and problems, it was 5 years before AF was diagnosed and i saw a cardiologist who introduced flecinide which worked for a while, then bisoprlol was added but in the end the pill's were not working and ablation was the only option which I had at the beginning of May and have been AF free since,

So in conclusion in my case yes AF got progressively worse until ablation was the only answer

[doodle68]

I did some research on the progression of AF and not surprisingly could find no definitive answer because there are too many variables factors involved.

I am working on the theory that P-AF is progressive but it is possible for some people to slow down or halt the progression by making lifestyle changes involving the food we eat /weight loss /exercise/ avoiding stress.

If this is effective I will let you all know in 10 years time

[Ianc2]

My AFIB started when I was 55. At that time it was slowly getting worse so I went through all manner of tests and was eventually informed I had heart valve problems and open heart surgery was required. At the time there was a policy of juggling heart patients so that those who were at deaths door got operated on, and the rest had to wait. I eventually got the stage where I could walk 4 steps, then stop and breathe.

At this point I got lucky. The local cardiologists had a serious go (TV interviews, etc) at the local politicians about the numbers of patients who were dying because of lack of funding,

Hey presto, a big bag of money became available and I was operated on in May 2014. Definitely a life saver. By this time I was 69. When I was 70 I had an ablation for flutter which was successful but I still have AFIB lurking in the background. Apparently it is in part of the heart that is difficult and risky to reach. So I tolerate it and make sure I take my warfarin.

I have taken on board the advice on this site regarding lifestyle changes and most of the time I am totally unaware of the problem. I am 73 and I enjoy walking - particularly in Austria and being active (got the fitbit). I regularly walk with my neighbours (the last of the summer swine) for 5-7 miles three times a week, and go ballroom dancing a couple of times a week. I can't do all the things I could do at thirty so I am trying to grow old gracefully

I asked about life expectancy. 'We don't know ', they said, 'there is so much progress being made'

[secondtry]

Hi Sam, you have some excellent replies and there is little I can add. What I would say is 1) I think most AF sufferers would agree you have to be proactive yourself in managing it (incl research) rather than sitting back and just following what the medics tell you 2) what doesn't get mentioned too often but what I find important for my condition (Lone PAF with pulse around 54) is CoQ10 200mgs/day, which I take with a Magnesium compound. Good luck.

[Vandalbragg]

I know two people that had one episode of Afib and never had a recurrence