What are the long term side affects of Atrial Fibrillation?

Question

my partner is a 45 year old male who has recently been diagnosed with AF. His is intermittent. I am very concerned about his health but he keeps telling me there is nothing to worry about, that's it's a minor inconveience.

I think it's more serious than that. Does anyone know anything about AF and it's long term affects?

Answer 1

Be careful there is no such thing as long term every thing is sudden in AF, however this topic will help you out:

What're the complications of atrial fibrillation?
The most devastating complication of atrial fibrillation occurs when a blood clot forms in the left atrium, travels to the left ventricle, and is pumped to the brain. When a blood clot lodges in one of the arteries supplying the brain with blood, it can block blood flow to that part of the brain and cause a stroke. Stroke can be severe and can cause permanent paralysis of part of the body, speech impairment, and even death. Unfortunately, stroke can occur at any time, usually without warning.

If the heart is unable to pump an adequate amount of blood to the body, as in some people with AF, the body begins to compensate by retaining fluid. This can lead to a condition called heart failure. Heart failure results in the accumulation of fluid in the lower legs (edema) and the lungs (pulmonary edema). Pulmonary edema makes breathing more difficult and reduces the ability of the lung to add oxygen to and remove carbon dioxide from the blood. The levels of oxygen in the blood can drop, and the levels of carbon dioxide in the blood can rise, a complication called respiratory failure. This is a life-threatening complication.

Answer 2

I don't know about evidence, but I believe they can cause long term, if not permanent damage in some cases. I took the ssri Lexapo for less than a year at a very low dose. I've not had an orgasm since my first dose, and I used to have the most rampant sex drive ever, and was constantly having orgasms. I've been off anti-ds completely for about 10 months now - still no orgasm, and very few sexual urges. Since starting the medication I have really struggled with school work, as my memory was significantly affected by the medication. This is another side effect that didn't resolve for me, and my ambitions now seem impossible as I can't study like I used to be able to before the Lexapro. It's very sad. I'm now taking high doses of fish oils and I hope this issue will resolve in time. Lexapro worked so well for my anxiety and depression, but it came with a high price to pay.

Answer 3

Like other illnesses, atrial fibrillation has a spectrum of effects. Some folks have a lot of trouble with it and require Coumadin (a particularly troublesome blood thinner that requires regular monitoring of blood levels) to reduce their risk of stroke as well as medicines to keep their heart from racing.

Other folks (particularly those who are young and otherwise healthy and only get attacks of atrial fibrillation occasionally) are well-managed by just taking daily aspirin and getting regular checkups.

Hard for me to say where on the spectrum your partner lies. Also hard for me to say if he's telling you exactly what his doctor told him or if he's in denial.

Why not go together with your partner to see his doctor? Read about atrial fibrillation ahead of time on WebMD and bring a list of questions. That way, you get the answers straight from the horse's mouth (so to speak).

Answer 4

If left untreated, Afib can lead your body to build up little clots that could shoot to your brain and cause a stroke. It could also get worse and become rapid afib which needs to be dealt with emergently or it could kill you. Treatment is usually to prevent blood clots - going on blood thinners like warfarin (aka coumadin). If it is a rapid heart rate, medication to bring the rate down and possibly break the afib are given. Some people live in that rhythm all the time on treatment and it is at that point a minor inconvenience. Hope this helps

Answer 5

From time to time I have this--- the previous answer by the Doctor is what mine said--but mine went away( back in sinus) I just take a coated aspirin each day --I think decongestants played a role in triggering mine--too much caffeine seems to be bad too --but not sure on either score. If it lasts more than 12 hours really should get to cardiologist asap or to ER.

Answer 6

THIS IS A QUESTION THAT I WOULD ASK A DOCTOR OR SOMEBODY THAT HAS IT. LOOK ON THE INTERNET ALSO. I KNOW I HAVE POSITIONAL TACHYCARDIA-RAPID HEART RATE AND I WAS WORRIED AFTER YEARS IT WOULD WEAKEN THE HEART MUSCLES. FOUND OUT IT WASNT THE CASE.
I CAN RELATE TO HOW HE FEELS, THAT IT IS AN INCONVENIENCE. IT IS MORE FRUSTRATION FOR US THAN ANYTHING. TO FEEL LIKE WE ARE NOT IN CONTROL MAKES US MAD. I AM 34 AND HAVE TO USE A WALKER BECAUSE THERE ARE TIMES THE HEART GOES AS HIGH AS 180-200+. WE WILL BE OUT AND FEELING GREAT, IT HITS AND WE FEEL BAD EVERYONE AROUND US HAS TO STOP AND WAIT FOR US TO FEEL BETTER.
GOOD LUCK ON THE RESEARCH. I AM GLAD TO SEE YOU ARE LOOKING INTO IT. MY HUSBAND JUST AVOIDS IT-OUT OF FEAR I THINK.