Does AF cause permanent damage to your heart?

[JK5AEO]

After my heart attack (4-years ago) the cardiologist told me that my heart would recover to 90% of its previous function and health.

Has my recent fast AF caused permanent damage to my heart? I was at 155bpm for about 10 hours before reverting to sinus rhythm. Does that amount to a very long work out in the gym, or damage to the heart?

[BobD Volunteer]

Short duration events of that nature shold not cause problems. Very high rates (above 200 ) for long periods ie several days or weeks may cause enlargement of the left atrium but well controlled AF has no advserse effect on life expectancy or general health.

Hopefully you are now on suitable medication to control rate so try and enjoy life.

[JK5AEO in reply to BobD]

Many thanks. Yes, I am on bisoprolol and rivaroxaban.

[Tomred in reply to BobD]

Hi Bobd you say well controlled afib has no adverse side effects on life expectancy that's the best news I've heard on afib trouble is i don't know if mine is well controlled or not as since starting bisoprolol and multaq about 2 years ago my ep hasn't been in touch my rate is lower and the rthym isn't as pronounced but I still feel terrible in afib do you think this is well controlled i can't give you figures as my monitor won't record when in afib thanks

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Tomred]

I think rates below 100 are fine as my local cardiologist told me they would not treat anything less. Since you are stroke protected then as FJ says you should be fine.

[Tomred in reply to BobD]

Bob when you say stroke protected do you think bisop and multaq are stroke protecting im not on anticoag ep says when I reach 65 I'm 60 now

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Tomred]

My mistake. Sorry. I misunderstood FJ's response was not for you. Obviously this subject attracts a lot of views. Not all of us would agree with your EP but it is optional unless you CHADSVasc score is one or above.

[Tomred in reply to BobD]

No problem my chars score as of 2 years ago was 0

[Hidden in reply to Tomred]

Just for clarity Tomred, BobD may be confusing you with someone else. As far as I know, neither Bisoprolol or Multaq (Dronedarone) are stroke protecting. However, if your heart rate is generally below 100 bpm then there should be no adverse affect to your life expectancy. Continue to follow your EP’s advice regarding anticoagulation unless to become aware of something else developing which may increase your CHADsVASC score.

[Tomred in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for clarity flapjack

[Hidden]

I see you are taking Bisoprolol and Rivaroxaban so you should be fine.......

[JK5AEO in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Jack!

[PICCASO in reply to Hidden]

I was changed to riveroxaban from warfarin had very bad muscle spazms so went back to warfarin

[john-boy-92]

If the clinicians were worried, they would have carried out Troponin tests.

[JK5AEO in reply to john-boy-92]

They tested for troponin in A&E, but I never heard anything further, so hopefully all is well. Thank you for your help.

[JK5AEO]

Thank you!

[cuore in reply to JK5AEO]

The heart really starts remodelling when it reaches the persistent stage. Having said that, I have an extensively remodelled heart, have had three ablations, am currently in sinus rhythm and am totally fine.

[JK5AEO in reply to cuore]

thank you.

[pablojack]

I was in intermittent flutter for some weeks before it became persistent. My heart rate was 150bpm for the following 6 weeks while on apixaban waiting for cardioversion. Following successful CV enlarged ventricles were detected leading to a diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy with reduced EF. 6 months later an ultrasound scan showed that the heart was back to normal as was the EF. My cardiologist said that the suspected cardiomyopathy was caused by the flutter and that there was never any underlying disease.