Diagnosed with Paroxysmal AF in Sept 2019. I last saw a cardiologist February 2020 who prescribed flecainide as PIP with option to have an ablation if palpitations became stronger and more persistent. I've not seen a consultant since as I've been coping reasonably well. Discussing with two friends I mentioned I was on waiting list to see a cardiologist soon in January or February. They asked why so I said I wanted to check how my heart was doing after this time. Would there be any scarring on my heart for example. The two friends are 10years younger. I'm 79. One had a heart attack 6 years ago and the other had a tia two years ago. As they were rather lacking in sympathy for my AF I felt a bit hurt that they seemed to belittle it. When I mentioned about scarring caused by AF they were more sceptical. Sorry to go on. I keep falling asleep Haha!
Can AF cause scarring?
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Camelia23
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That is the whole point of ablation. To form scar tissue to block the rogue impulses. That the scars are small means little real damage done to the heart.
Uncontrolled AF can cause some stretching and re modelling of the left atrium yes and can reduce the effectiveness of the muscle which is why rate control is so important.
What is your concern regarding scarring? As Bob describes below, scarring the heart is the point of ablation - to stop AF. Of more concern would be stretching of the atria from uncontrolled, fast AF.
I wonder if either of your friends’ stroke or TIA was a result of untreated AF? They might not be quite so dismissive of AF then!
Thanks CDreamer. I had not read that part about ablation! Can I make the excuse that my concentration span is waning? Though as a former teacher I should not accept it! Interesting observation in last sentence!
Cardiac fibrosis, or scarring which can be caused by MI or inflammation can be a cause of AF rather than the other way around . Then as the others have said ablation causes scarring in places intended to block the rogue signals causing AF
I was told by EP that early treatment for AF indicated as it can remodel the heart. Do have a check up and ask all those questions! Best if the cardiologist is an EP though
When you see your cardiologist, I suggest you include the option of taking Flecainide on a daily basis. 'Coping reasonably well' is likely to lead to more AF episodes as your heart gets into bad habits.
Thanks secondtry. I'll see what she says. I'm on waiting list for 'sometime January/February. Not very happy with side effects of flecainide but if I'm prescribed it I'll give it a go!
After having my ablation in September I had chest pain and because this is not usual I wondered whether there was something more sinisher than it being as a result of trauma. I discussed this with my cardiologist and said I wanted to know if there was any heart disease. I paid privately for a coronary scan and was relieved that there was no heart or lung disease and no clogged arteries.
I just didn’t want to find out when it was too late to do anything about it. BTW the chest pain left after about 4 weeks and I feel amazing now.
Can you explain what a coronary scan entails please. Is this done with a CT scan where the heart rate is slowed to just under 50 bpm or is it something else. Many thanks.
My (limited) understanding is that AF can cause fibrosis (scarring?)but that you need particular investigations to find this out and knowledge is not so extensive because of this. I have had an MRI and I believe that the extent of any fibrosis will be one outcome. I haven’t got the results yet. The more fibrosis there is the less successful any ablation will be. Although I did read somewhere that an MRI cannot see all fibrosis. So not very helpful answer I’m afraid.
I never understand the lack of sympathy from friends whom also have to cope with a health issue or have had a problem in the past.If you have felt the symptoms, fear and anxiety of coping with any illness , even if it isn't a cardiac one you should still remember how that feels and be more understanding, not less.
It's not a competition, and from my experience of various ongoing heart problems , including aFib , and from talking to others whom have had a heart attack and then have aFib we all agree that the ongoing problems and symptoms of cardiac issues like these , or "invisible" conditions can be far more debilitating and life changing day to day .
But it shouldn't be a competition, sympathy, consideration and kindness should be unconditional and your friends might need a lesson in being more supportive.
In terms of scarring , Atrial Fibrillation can be both caused by existing atrial fibrosis and can also increase this type of atrial fibrosis , or scarring , especially if events are more common , and you are in higher risk groups, if you are older, and in people whose condition is not well managed or whom also have permanent aFib. So it is important to monitor this situation as part of your ongoing medical care and especially if you are having regular aFib events in case there is the possibility of other issues or a need for a change in treatment or Self Care.
Big virtual hugs to you and a virtual kick in the pants to your insensitive mates!
Thanks, Bee. These two are part of a walking group of 8 and the others are very supportive. However I do wonder if I should distance myself from those less supportive. You would think I've learned that at my age. Many thanks for the virtual hugs and virtual kick in the pants to the insensitive ones!
Yes , I found very early on in my life with chronic illnesses that it was better to avoid the negative voices , and soul sucking individuals as much as was politely possible ...... And take the " if you just do this you will be cured" comments with a smile and pinch of salt.I also have rather an extensive collection of t-shirts and badges with slogans on which often make my point without saying a word😆😆😆
Hi Camelia, I've had paroxysmal afib for 15 years. At the last echocardiogram, my EP/cardiologist checked the numbers and affirmed "no stretching, no enlargement, no remodelling in your heart...after 15 years!" Remodelling can cause more episodes of AF, and seems to occur more often in those who have AF for many more years than you. In the last 3 years, I started taking metoprolol daily & flecainide PIP, and sometimes have runs of more frequent episodes... just to say that even those of us who have much more frequent afib than you can have no remodelling of the atrium. We all have enough anxiety with afib--I wouldn't worry about that with only 3-4 years of relatively infrequent episodes. While it's always good to stop afib episodes as soon as we can (as I do w/ flecainide), the only "scarring" that happens is from ablations. You can always keep check on your atrial size w/ an echocardiogram, which I assume you had when you were diagnosed. If not, you can get one in Jan./Feb. All good health, Diane
Thanks, Diane. That's very cheering and informative. I had an echocardiagram when diagnosed; later I wore a holter for 24 hours. Nothing untoward found in autumn 2019.
Yes, AF (without an ablation) can cause scarring of the heart:
Cellular drivers of fibrosis in atrial fibrillation (Mr Oisin Cappa) Atrial fibrillation (AF) – abnormal beating of the heart – often occurs because scar tissue has formed in the heart. This process is called fibrosis.
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