Can you live for years with AFib?

The good news is that although AF is a long-term condition, if managed correctly, you can continue to lead a long and active life. There are a number of steps you can take that will help you manage your condition, lower your risk of stroke and relieve any worries you may have.

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How many years can you live with AFib?

Overall Survival

The mean interval from initial diagnosis of atrial fibrillation to death was 25.2±9.5 years (range, 2.5 to 42.2 years). No sudden cardiac deaths occurred; 12 deaths were related to cardiovascular disease and 15 to noncardiovascular causes.

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Can you have atrial fibrillation for years?

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation occurs over fewer than seven days, on and off, and returns to a normal rhythm on its own. Long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation lasts for more than a year. Permanent atrial fibrillation does not improve with treatment.

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Does AFib always get worse with age?

But this condition is almost always progressive and often needs lifelong therapy. In the beginning, your AFib episodes might be more spaced out and less intense. But over time the problem can become worse and it can happen more often.

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Can you live a long life with irregular heartbeat?

You can certainly live a happy, healthy life with an irregular heartbeat. However, it's always a good idea to check with your doctor when you're experiencing new symptoms or discomfort.

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Living with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

23 related questions found

Can you live with AFib without blood thinners?

While patients who have elevated stroke risks may be able to manage symptoms of AFib — such as a racing heartbeat — with other medications or medical procedures, they will still need to take blood thinners to protect against stroke.

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How can I prevent atrial fibrillation from getting worse?

The basics include not smoking, following a heart-healthy Mediterranean-style diet (high in plant-based foods, fruits and vegetables, and low in saturated fats), being physically active and keeping to a normal weight (as indicated on a body-mass index chart).

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Can I live 20 years with AFib?

The good news is that although AF is a long-term condition, if managed correctly, you can continue to lead a long and active life. There are a number of steps you can take that will help you manage your condition, lower your risk of stroke and relieve any worries you may have.

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Can you live 30 years with AFib?

In a long-term scenario, living with Afib can make you feel as if your heart is flip-flopping or skipping beats. Whether or not Afib shortens a person's lifespan depends on whether or not he or she can get their heart rate and anticoagulation under control. If controlled, then Afib doesn't shorten a person's lifespan.

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What is the most common age for AFib?

A-fib can affect any adult at any age. While most patients develop it in their 60s, 70s, or 80s, I also see some young adults in their 20s or 30s with this condition.

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How do you know if you have permanent AFib?

Persistent atrial fibrillation occurs when the abnormal heart rhythm you experience lasts for more than a week. It could eventually return to normal on its own, but you may need treatment to regulate your heartbeat.

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Does AFib weaken the heart over time?

If your atrial fibrillation is persistent, it may start to weaken your heart. In extreme cases, it can lead to heart failure, as your heart is unable to pump blood around your body efficiently.

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What is the 10 year survival rate for AFib?

Amongst the group of patients aged between 55-74 years, the 10 year mortality was 61.5% in men with AF compared to 30% in men without AF. Amongst women in a similar age group, the 10 year mortality was 57.6% in the AF group versus 20.9% in women without AF. Similar findings have been found from many other cohorts.

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What percentage of AFib is permanent?

Permanent AF occurs in approximately 50% of patients, and paroxysmal and persistent AF in 25% each.

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What is the main cause of atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is most often caused by changes to the heart's tissue or the electrical signaling that helps the heartbeat.

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Can AFib go away with weight loss?

The study, conducted at the University of Adelaide in Australia, showed the majority of participants saw some degree of reversal after losing just 10% of their starting weight. More than half kicked AFib completely after keeping the weight off for four years.

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What famous people have AFib?

From NBA stars to presidents, singers to tennis pros, you'd be surprised to learn how many household names live with AFib.
  • Larry Bird. ...
  • Joe Biden. ...
  • Gene Simmons. ...
  • Howie Mandel. ...
  • Billie Jean King. ...
  • George H. W. ...
  • Jerry West. ...
  • Not sure if you're at risk for (or already have) AFib?

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Is AFib considered heart disease?

Atrial fibrillation (AF), also called Afib, is a condition which causes an irregular and often rapid heart rate. It can lead to stroke and heart failure. AF is one of a group of heart rhythm conditions called arrhythmias, which are caused by changes to the heart's electrical impulses.

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What is true for patients living with atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation is generally not life threatening, many people live normal healthy lives with this condition, but it can be uncomfortable and often needs treatment. This condition increases your risk by about four to five times of having a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or stroke.

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How common is AFib by age?

Prevalence AF of in general population increases with advancing age, from 0.12–0.16% in individuals younger than 49 years to 1.7–4.0% in those aged 60–70 years and as high as 13.5–17.8% beyond 80 years of age (4, 5). The age-adjusted prevalence and incidence of AF is lower among women compared to men (6–8).

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Is it OK to exercise with atrial fibrillation?

If you are in AF all the time (persistent AF), you can exercise as much as you want, as long as your heart rate is under control, you are stable on your treatment and are feeling well. If you're not feeling well because of your AF, ask your GP or specialist for exercise advice.

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How do I get my AFib back to normal?

Treatment with medication (pharmacological cardioversion) or controlled electric shocks (electrical cardioversion) can often restore a normal heart rhythm. Afterwards, medication is typically used in order to try to prevent the heart rhythm from becoming irregular again.

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How can I get my atrial fibrillation back to normal?

If AFib doesn't get better with medicine or other treatments, a procedure called cardiac ablation may be necessary. Sometimes ablation is the first treatment. Cardiac ablation uses heat or cold energy to create tiny scars in the heart. The scars disrupt irregular heart signals and restore a typical heartbeat.

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Can your heart get out of AFib on its own?

Paroxysmal Afib lasts less than one week and usually stops on its own without treatment. (Paroxysmal is pronounced par-ək-ˈsiz-məl.)

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