6 Myths about Atrial Fibrillation

[TracyAdmin]

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is the most common heart rhythm disorder (arrhythmia) often leading to an AF-related stroke. Do you know the truth from the myths about AF? Click here heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

If you would like advice or information, [e-mail] or call our helpline on 01789 867 502 or [phone] US

[BobD Volunteer]

Good to reinforce what we keep saying.

[bassets]

Thanks, that's great.

[Ppiman]

Ectopic beats are much more common rhythm disturbance, I expect, but I get the point. Does AF really "often lead to a stroke" or is that itself a myth? Perhaps what you meant was that "untreated AF can [sometimes / often] lead to a stroke"?

Steve

[Mugsy15]

Myth one is an attempt to make a valid point which is so badly worded as to be incorrect!

[Dadtoalad23]

it’s seems to me that CHADvasc2 is widely ignored and or not taken seriously or even explained fully or investigated properly. I was told by an EP that I don’t need anticoagulants and that was contradicted by one GP and another GP basically said it was just like betting odds.

It’s hard for us younger AF sufferers, as we are left terrified of strokes and left taking various medications that are detrimental to our long term health. At 46 my options are take anticoagulants for the next 20-30 years or have risky left appendage surgery.

Also with persistent AF I’m supposed to have endless failed ablations and potentially more heavy detrimental to health rhythm control drugs. And then also be told not to chase NSR ? And told AF won’t shorten your life BUT it could give you a stroke at any minute and we will have to keep checking your heart just in case the AF damages it.

I think the under 55s aren’t given great advice or information currently. I think it’s underrated the impact AF has on young people. I don’t under rate the impact and any age and I have nothing but respect for the older sufferers. But as young people we are looking at the next 30 -40 years with AF. And if AF begets AF which we are constantly told then let’s be honest AF is very likely to shorten younger suffers life expectancy. Many paroxysmal young will end up being persistent and some like me are already persistent, which over decades is potentially damaging our heart structures.

Yet GPs seem uninterested EPs can be flippant in their responses and the NHS is unable to offer much support to anyone unless your dying. I think there needs to be a dedicated support association for younger sufferers with the consideration of the length of time they will have afib without and available cure.