Here's the quote, "(AF), the most common heart rhythm disease, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality."

My EP said, and I don't necessarily agree, that the same conditions that caused me to have a-fib will contribute to my chances for a shortened life. I'm obese; I take meds for high blood pressure and high cholesterol. That was his explanation of why a-fib caused high morbidity and mortality.

Stroke is a big cause. And rapid uncontrolled heart rate can eventually lead to problems. I don't think it means that you will die during an a fib episode. For a good long term outcome we have to lose weight, control b/p and heart rate, exercise, take an anticoagulant, get enough sleep, reduce stress, etc.

There is also the fact that not all are alike and some are milder and some are stronger.

comorbidity is probably the big 'elephant in the room' whenever you talk of whether AF is contributing to your mortality.
What other issues do you have and how do these link into your AF as well as personal characteristics (age, gender etc).
Not an easy question to answer I think
cheers leanne

Just throwing in my 2 cents......contributing factors as everyone said....its the weight that is carried, the cholesterol that needs control, the BP , the diabetes it is most likely under the same category as anyone with any heart issue.....yes, this rhythm sometimes has a mind of its own but i have had this conversation with so many drs and co workers and the concensus is always that a fib alone will not kill you....another little thing, I interview and take care of upwards of 150 pts every week, lots and lots of them are 85+ and I would be willing to guesstimate that a huge percentage of those have afib in their history and are on meds and they are having simple elective surgery and are living happy productive lives....my mom had an awesome life and passed away very peacefully at 92 , with a history or a fib for many many years ( chronic at that......) I will take that scenario any day of the week. I guess this falls under the category of not worrying about what might be and living a full and healthy life
~ stepping off the pedestal~ Happy Monday everyone.....I am off to see my senior citizen population
jan

To die earlier, you have to have a reason. The commorbity issue is the key. Look at the CHA2DS2Vasc scoring system... all those things contribute to a shortened lifespan, not to mention stroke. Untreated afib will kill you also... heart failure, myopathy, ventricular fibrillation from uncontrolled heart rate.

I've noticed that you can look up any major disease that isn't immediately life threatening, like hypertension, or diabetes, or whatever... it will say the same thing. I would be surprised if it said you would live longer than everyone else with afib. Of course, the lifestyle changes you make will help you live longer.

If you want something to worry about, look up ear creases and heart disease on the web. I recommend a magnifying mirror to help you obsess about it. :-)


petey

Another thing... they have not been able to prove that having an ablation (versus being rate controlled and anticoagulated) helps you to live longer. It may turn out that later studies alter that to some degree, but the point is that the commorbidities still exist AFTER successful ablation.


petey

I HAVE ear creases. (not kidding!) :)

My neighbor was 104 when she passed away. She had persistant afib.

She died of complications of a Stoke, a week after her 68 yr Son passed away. Her caregiver said, she died of a Broken heart when loosing her favorite Son.

She had taken Warfarin for 6 yrs. Her caregiver said, she wouldn't take any pills after her Son passed. She just gave up~

I agree that the jury is still out an the long term success of ablation.
But by definition a successful ablation eliminates the morbidity (diseased condition) of Afib, and often improves quality of life.
These positive changes may be only temporary, Afib may come back.
Of course a successful ablation does not help with independent comorbidities such as diabetes.

On ear creases... I saw this magazine article on people that live into their 100s. So I'm looking at this one guy's picture and he has what? Ear creases! It was National Geographic a few months ago.

petey

YAY! Long live the ear crease! One less thing to worry about.. lol!