Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and You
- 0About this program
- 1What is AF?
- 2AF and You
- 3Causes of AF
- 4Symptoms of AF
- 5AF-related stroke
- 6Anticoagulation Therapy
- 7Treatment Options for AF
- 8Healthy Living and AF
- 9Living with AF
- 10How we can support you
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Causes of AF
Causes of AF
AF is often related to age, the older you get, the more likely you are to develop the condition. AF is frequently noted after an ‘open heart’ operation. Other conditions or diseases can also increase your risk of getting AF. This does not mean that AF always develops but the risk does increase.
Below are several conditions associated with AF:
- High blood pressure
- Coronary heart disease
- Mitral valve disease (caused by rheumatic heart disease, valve problems at birth, or infection)
- Congenital heart disease (abnormality of the heart present since birth)
- Pneumonia
- Lung cancer
- Pulmonary embolism
- Overactive thyroid
- Obesity
- Sleep apnoea
- Dementia
In addition, alcohol and drug abuse or misuse may predispose you to AF. While your risk of AF goes up with the problems mentioned above, many people develop AF for no explainable reason.
There is no ‘typical’ AF patient. AF occurs in men and women, in all races, and can occur at any age. While it can ‘run in the family’, most people diagnosed with AF will not have a family history of the condition. Some events and diseases may make AF more likely, but it can also occur without warning.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.