Does Afib go on to become heart failure

[Catlady56]

I'm 64 and following a massive pulmonary embolism last year they discovered I have afib. On Xarelto, Bisoprolol and Amlodipine for life for both conditions now and I have had one cardioversion, which lasted three days. They don't know if PE caused the afib, or the afib caused the PE - I suspect the latter as I had had a couple of episodes of very fast heart rate prior to the PE. What I would like to know is does afib mean heart failure is guaranteed to happen in due course, even with medications?

[BobD Volunteer]

No . Properly controlled AF does not cause additional risk apart from Stroke which is dealt with by the anticoagulant.

[adriatico in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob,

So nice to see you are still on this forum helping others.

Hope that everything is fine with you.

I am still grateful for all your help 3-4 years ago.

My best wishes for your future.

[Dawsonmackay]

Agree with Bob.

[Barb1]

My AF caused an enlarged heart but once controlled it went back to normal size with just some stiffness.

[Smokie2D]

No to that, if its controlled as others have said. The biggest danger is increased chance of stroke so they give you a pill to counter that. Just take care of yourself and don't worry unduly because that is probably a bigger danger to the quality of your life. Mind you that's easier said than done!