2007-01-04 19:02:53 · 3 answers · asked by shane_manila2001 2 in Health ➔ Other - Health
Yeah, it's risky, and sometimes it can be life threatening. Sometimes it'll just alternate with a normal rhythm, but sometimes it stays, and then you'll have to see the doctor.
The term "defibrillator" sound familiar? That's the thing you see on the TV shows where the doctor shouts "clear" and sticks to slectric pads onto a dude's chest. The idea is that it serves as a sort of "jumper cable" to the heart, giving it a strong pulse that is supposed to stop the heart from quiverring and start it beating normally again.
The big thing about "is it life threatening" is that it tends to become a chronic problem, and those with chronic AF face an increased risk of health problems such as blood clots and heart attacks, which can be deadly.
But I believe ventricular fibrillation is worse. I could be wrong there.
It's a complicated thing, so I gave you the link to the wikipedia article so you can peruse the idea at your own time.
2007-01-04 19:13:25 · answer #1 · answered by megan_of_the_swamp 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Okay, Atrial Fibrilliation is an abnormal heartbeat...anything that is abnormal in your body is not a good thing. A-fib can cause blood clots, and lead to strokes. Strokes are pretty much the worst things that a-fib can cause. I mean, if you know that you have a-fib, you most likely have gone to a doctor; so you should be taken care of. But like, if it something you are just suspecting that you have, you should really get checked out.
2007-01-04 19:13:58 · answer #2 · answered by playdoh1986 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's the link to this topic by the American Heart Association:
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4451
2007-01-04 19:08:50 · answer #3 · answered by Jen 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋