As we were having lunch, my wife commented that I was definitely starting to suffer from cognitive decline. So I went onto my PC and, lo and behold, the first thing that I see is a YouTube video from Dr Sanjay Gupta, speaking about AF and Cognitive Decline.
I would highly recommend watching the video youtube.com/watch?v=Xp0uOXz...
Happy New Year everyone from Neil in Nottingham
It also just came up in my Instagram feed, wish I hadn't watched it to be honest. Not feeling great today so listening to this hasn't helped with my anxiety so find myself questioning more & more whether ignorance really is bliss.
I was only diagnosed with Afib end of August but I have no idea how long I've had if for. I do forget words from time to time though I'm only 59.
I've been on a waiting list for a cadioversion since end of September but haven't heard from NHS.
I'm still pretty new to all of this so still trying to understand what successful proceedures are available on the NHS for persistent afib because all that I seem to keep reading are posts where ablations & cardioversion haven't been successful.
I also have HF which as far as I'm aware, makes afib all the more difficult to treat successfulfully.
Interesting post Neil.
I have known about the higher rate of Cognitive Decline and its connection to afib for some time. I haven't watched the video yet but will make a point of doing so.
Paul
Troubling video, not at all like dr.Gupta.
This is pure fearmongering: anti-coagulation ‘could’ cause dementia in AF-patients, by causing micro-bleeds in the brain. The lack of anti-coagulation could cause dementia in AF-patiënts by it preventing micro-clots to reach the brain.
What is it? Yes or no? If research yields contradictory results, it is premature to disclose it. It is guesswork at best.
Guesswork is never interesting in matters of health. In this case it is very unwise, because it creates unnecessary fear.
Interesting.....had A/F for almost 30 years, now 80, and figure that if I can perform the many tasks using my brain that I do then I am ok for the moment so won't worry about this for the time being!!!!
Hi Neil,
All the best for 2025 to you too.
From all I've read this last 25 years I'd say that whilst yes, AF is undoubtedly associated with CD, I would confidently contend that its the co-morbidities (the 'bad company that AF typically keeps') that is way WAY more likely to be the actual/real reason for the CD. I would think that an individual with essentially idiopathic (lone) AF and a CHADS of 0 or 1 and with a relatively low and/or well-controlled (rate-wise) AF will be at roughly the same chance of developing CD as they get older as the non-AF population.
By the way, the tale you relate re talking about it and it then appearing on your YT feed should/must make even the most anti-conspiracy theory-minded wonder if our electronic comms devices are listening to us ! I've had similar instances to yours myself on a number of occasions recently that are cumulatively impossible to put down to chance......
When I got my new iPad I was disconcerted to find Siri trying to join in conversations by asking what I meant. You have to turn the microphone off for all apps that don’t need it otherwise they can listen in.
Two nights ago my hubby and I were reminiscing about the greatest gig we ever went to (Yes at Wembley Arena ). Lo and behold, an hour or so later on FB up pops an ad for a Yes tribute show just up the road!!! And it worked, I booked some tickets!!!! Coincidence??
No 🤫
Thankyou. Very interesting as ever - Dr Gupti puts it all very well. In science its rarely that clear. Often why NICE guidelines keep changing -so really its not that unusual. ALL medication carries risks. And anti coag is no different. I will be interested to hear the outcome of the variability in anti coag dose that is being currently researched...not due out for a few years. .
Although there's no clear cause to this fact....scary though it is.....it is helpful to know about it All you can do is look at with regard to your own situation and consider any factors relevant to you. .
It could be other factors too such as b12 deficiency which is common as you age also untreated causes dementia. But I'm guessing since Gupti mentions it as a fact for Afib sufferers there is a link that's not explained by this.
I'm wary of research because it often focuses on one small aspect to the detriment of others. It is thought provoking. Thankyou.
Thanks Neil. I had not heard that, but for those of us with the APOE 4 gene or other cognitive decline risks, it is concerning. As always, it comes down to each individual's health. Do you mind telling me how old you are?
Hi Restcfo1, I'm 74 and still working.
Thank you for sharing. I am 65 and still working as well but am very concerned about my potential cognitive decline. I would like to work to age 75. Please understand this is not a promotion, but I tested my memory for free at apollohealthco.com/know-you... and did not score well initially. Without subscribing to their service, I followed their protocol and was able to improve my memory materially. I am now a Pre-code subscriber, but you can learn a lot without subscribing. Worth a look if you truly feel you are showing some decline. YouTube has a lot good videos from Dr. Bredesen and Apollo to give you some insight on him and his protocol.
Another thing to worry about, more questions than answers. I see at the end of the video another inset screen was offering a video on thoughts on anxiety very appropriate I thought after watching this one.
😂😂😂
It does reinforce the need for correct medications and not ignoring milder cases.
Hello Neil, I am glad to see you are still active by working at 74! My mom was afib most of her life, she passed at 85 and her mind was still very sharp. She was always very active and stayed away from processed food.
People with Afib have a high prevalence of anxiety and depression which I feel may be the main reason for this association. Look at the reaction to the video and yet its still unproven. relax a bit more people and ease off on the doomsday blogs on social media. Also the ones that tell you you can live a long life with stage 4 heart failure, (you cant!!) even if it is what you want to hear.
Were you just trying to depress us?! Fortunately, my brain doesn’t seem to have been affected given my results in the daily word games I do and I am 80 and have survived around 5 years of paroxysmal AF, well controlled with Flecainide (and not far off 81!)
The association between atrial fibrillation and dementia was, for me, a very strong motivation to go forward with an ablation. One well populated study reported a hazard ratio of 0.52 for the cohort that underwent ablation compared to the cohort without ablation: "The risk of dementia was significantly lower in the catheter ablation cohort (Hazard Ratio 0.52, 95% confidence interval: 0.45–0.61). "
There have been studies that show that taking anticoagulants could be pill in pocket based on AF episode need. Less exposure to the medication but still effective treatment and without the added costs on taking a daily anticoagulant. I am guessing that the pharmaceutical companies would be against this, but perhaps with this disturbing news (if it turns out to be accurate), this is now a viable option.
Dr Sanjay Gupta
Dr Sanjay Gupta
AF and Dementia linked ? ( dr Sanjay report) 
Calcium channel blockers no good for vagal AF - Dr Sanjay Gupta
