Study into familial AF

[CDreamer]

mdmag.com/medical-news/stud...

[Hidden]

Thanks CD

So if you have EOAF (early onset below 60 and with a structurally normal heart), you are more likely to have an immediate relative with AF.

Conclusions are extracted below

‘Conclusions

This study was the first we know of to show that the odds of an African American or Hispanic/Latino proband with EOAF having a first-degree relative with AF were greater than those of probands of European descent. Our findings support genetic predisposition to EOAF across all 3 racial and ethnic groups studied and have important implications for identifying family members at risk for AF and screening candidate genes. The identification of novel AF genes, especially in African American and Hispanic/Latino patients, may not only uncover the underlying molecular mechanisms of AF and identify novel therapeutic pathways, but also provide important insights into the AF paradox across racial and ethnic groups.”

[CDreamer in reply to Hidden]

I was 56 ish when AF developed - my father had AF from the age of about 50.

[baba in reply to CDreamer]

Three siblings and I have AF, plus at least one cousin and our grandfather.

No African American or Hispanic/Latino genes that I know of.

[CDreamer in reply to baba]

Hailing from Liverpool I, more than likely, will have African genes, don’t most of us?

[Hidden in reply to CDreamer]

If we go back far enough I believe most of us will share genes with every culture and race on earth. There is a wonderful weekly program in the US called Finding Your Roots that investigates this subject in depth. Very interesting and enlightening. "Six degreesof separation..."

[Cangelo629 in reply to Hidden]

I was 59 this past summer when I was diagnosed with AFIB I was converted back into NSR and so far so good yet I suspect over the last few years I had short bouts ( minutes)that would come and go I could never catch it. I think overall I would control it with exercise I go everyday it seem that was the medicine if I went I would be fine yet it was finally during exercise that I finally caught it. My 2 year older brother has Afib my son at 15 ( he's 34 now ) had a oblation for SVT that corrected his situation to this point so far. My Farther had Afib later in life 70 he was 86 and active when he passed on . We all have structurally correct hearts so I assumed it was a giving that it is a generational Familial issue.

[BobD Volunteer]

I have always stated that to have AF one needs a pre-disposition which can be either genetic (from your family) or acquired (over exercise, alcohol related etc ) so this is nothing new really other than maybe racial predominance . There are many conditions more likely in certain racial groups and without dna testing it is impossible to tell where most of us orginate as CD comments.

[CDreamer in reply to BobD]

I know we have known this but I think what is new and very significant is the research at the genetic level, which will be the future as in the future will be have personalised Medicine through genetic protocols, already happening. There was a very interesting article in Time magazine this week on successful gene therapy conducted on unborn child through injections into the umbilical cord. Outstanding outcome which surprised everyone.

[johnk1956]

My mother had AF, my elder brother, but not sister, my son has the same early signs I.e. palpitations when drunk. I have always assumed the connection.

[CHRISAF18]

I think my dad had it always had heart problems and heart attack his father had strokes. I took my father for an ECG and we were laughing at the outcome all over the place now I know about af I guess I inherited the gene mine aged 60

[NooNoo14]

My mum had AF but we didn't know until we saw it on her death certificate.

Netty

[Cookie24 in reply to NooNoo14]

Same for me

[Barb1]

I was diagnosed in my 50s. Mum and Gran both had AF

[Hidden]

I think the study is saying that they only looked at certain racial groups including Caucasian and all groups with early onset as they defined it, had a probable genetic predisposition.

However that predisposition was less obvious in Caucasians.

It was certainly present in 3 generations of my Caucasian family though not early onset.

[shaldonkoolma]

My mother my cousins and uncles, I was diagnosed at 49.

[MarkS]

The message from this study was confused by bringing race into it. The study was quite small and the differences in rates of immediate relatives with AF between the races were not really significant.

Certainly Early Onset AF does have a genetic component, which this study confirms. Both my father and mother had AF and I was diagnosed in my 50's, although I'm sure I had it from my 40's.

[wilsond]

I was diagnosed at 54,mum and maternal Gran had AF too,with structurally normal hearts.Interesting reading

[Andyt36]

Personally I am a great believe whilst you may have a predisposition to it, it does not mean it cannot be dealt with for example if I get heart palpitations when I drink then stop drinking, the one thing for me I feel is not paid enough attention to is the body remembers things so for example if I have a AF episode I react maybe I tense, this sends various signals through the body and means I react even more of the same the next time. Hope this makes sense, if I could teach myself to remain calm and the body to reset itself in some way then I believe this might go someway to helping calm all the mad electrical signals.

[Sarah57]

Yep, my mother had AF and I developed it at 38.