Is AF HF ?

[Morges]

Hi. I have a questionnaire to fill in prior to a cardiac MRI which asks if I suffer from heart failure (HF). I thought HF was a generic term but on reading a post on this forum I am confused/wrong . My cardiologist tells me I am in permanent AF with an ejection fraction of 42%. He has not mentioned HF. I have no symptoms other than an irregular pulse, which I am not aware of. Do I tick yes to HF ?

[Buzby62]

Hi, there’s two resources on the following link about AF and HF (5th and 6th in the list)

heartrhythmalliance.org/afa...

AF is not HF but they do share company sometimes

Best wishes

[Morges in reply to Buzby62]

Thank you. I will discuss with the technician on the day. Apparently the saying goes ' AF can lead to HF and HF can lead to AF'.

[opal11uk]

Contact your GP and ask the question. Heart failure means your heart isn't working as efficiently as it should and there are several degrees but only a medic can answer your question.

[Morges in reply to opal11uk]

Unless it's urgent there is a very long wait for an appointment with my GP, and I feel that the answer to my question is going to be ambiguous. Also too trivial a question to bother her with given her obvious workload. I have spent time reading some articles in the BMJ and the recommended heartrythmialliance and am drawing my own conclusion.

But thank you for your reply.

[Ppiman]

There are various causes of HF, I gather, many of which are temporary and reversible - and which the long term tachycardia of AF cause, for example (I gather). Congestive HF is the long-term one not linked to AF. My friend has this and, from what I have read, modern treatment has transformed to illness. He's certainly doing well. You'll need to ask your GP about your own situation. I should think.

I'm awaiting an MRI scan myself, so will no doubt have a similar form to complete soon!

Steve

[Morges in reply to Ppiman]

Hope all goes well for you with your MRI.

I was interested to read the info I received regarding no caffeine for 48 hours prior to my MRI with a comprehensive list of what to avoid. The only thing that applied to me was tea.

[Ppiman in reply to Morges]

I had one of these in 2019 and seem to remember that. I know it's a very technical scan as MRIO usually needs the body to be still, whereas the heart is in constant motion. It's a "gold standard" scan, I was told so is well worth having.

Steve

[Morges in reply to Ppiman]

Did you have the contrast media when you had yours? On the form it's called Gadolinium - I'm quite worried about that.

[Ppiman in reply to Morges]

Yes but the whole procedure was easy, even the stress injection which made the heart race a little - hardly noticeable.

I wouldn’t give it a second thought. It takes a good while though if I recall and you need to keep still.

Steve

[Alicant]

ask a GP or win the lottery….Ive no chance of either

[Fullofheart]

only if you have been diagnosed with heart failure, I would say.

[Qualipop]

I'd leave it blank and write "not known" at the side.

[Madscientist16]

No, AFib is not heart failure. Untreated AFib can lead to heart failure, so see your medical professional for the best way to control your AFib.