Why Treat Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation can be a debilitating disease and can contribute to a number of other serious conditions.

Therefore, it’s easy to understand why treatment is so important. Some people think if they avoid activities or lifestyle factors that trigger atrial fibrillation, or if they stop doing certain activities when AF occurs, they will be fine. However, simply avoiding the symptoms of a heart condition does not necessarily make you well and safe. Being healthy includes taking steps to reduce your risk of future disease, congestive heart failure and stroke.

Atrial Fibrillation Contributes to Stroke

If the heart is unable to pump adequately, blood pools in the atria. Oxygenated blood tends to pool and clot in the left atrium, creating an atrial thrombus. If a thrombus breaks off (becoming what is called an embolus), it can get lodged in an artery and cause a blockage of blood flow to the brain. This arterial embolus can then cause a stroke.

The increased risk of stroke is one of the most dangerous aspects of atrial fibrillation. Patients with untreated atrial fibrillation are 5 times more likely to suffer a stroke than non-afib patients.²⁷ Currently, researchers are estimating that 35% of patients with atrial fibrillation will suffer a stroke.²⁸

Atrial Fibrillation Contributes to Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart is not capable of pumping a sufficient amount of oxygenated blood to the body's other organs. During atrial fibrillation, the pumping mechanism of the atrial and ventricular chambers is impaired. Over a long period of time, without treatment, the heart muscle can weaken. If the pumping mechanism is impaired, and the heart muscle is severely weakened, congestive heart failure can occur.

A person with congestive heart failure is unable to catch their breath or engage in normal physical activities. As less blood is pumped out of the heart, fluids begin to build up in other organs of the body. Fluid can build up in the lungs and the kidneys, leading to further complications.

Atrial Fibrillation Contributes to Other Illness

Patients who have atrial fibrillation are also susceptible to conditions related to oxygen deficiencies and other heart diseases such as:

Chronic Fatigue: reduced functioning of organs and tissues due to lack of oxygen and/or over exertion

Hypoxia: oxygen deficiency in the blood and tissues

Sleep Apnea: waking up caused by lack of oxygen during sleep from an obstruction of the airway

Heart Disease: high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease

Mitral Valve Prolapse: occurs when the mitral valve is incapable of completely closing during ventricular systole, allowing blood to retract into the left atrium which can lead to ventricular tachycardia

Pericarditis: inflammation of the pericardium

Sick Sinus Syndrome: irregular heartbeat alternating between tachycardia and bradycardia

Sinus Tachycardia: a very high sinus rhythm originating from the sinoatrial (SA) node

Ventricular Tachycardia: an excessively rapid, irregular heartbeat associated with erratic electrical impulses generated in the ventricles

Treatment Options for Atrial Fibrillation

With so many risk factors associated with atrial fibrillation, treatment is imperative. Different types of treatment options are available with varying degrees of risk and success. Your doctor can help you decide what your treatment options are based upon the type of atrial fibrillation you have and your overall health and medical history. Take the time to educate yourself about your treatment options, write down questions to ask your doctor at your next follow-up, and speak to your physician about your options and concerns. If you are a patient or physician and are interested in learning additional information about clinical studies currently underway, please call our Clinical Trial Hotline at (800) 401- 3506 or visit clinicaltrials.gov.

27. Gillinov AM, Blackstone EH, et al. Atrial fibrillation: Current surgical options and their assessment. Ann Thorac Surg 2002; 74:2210-17.
28. Blackshear JL, Odell JA. Appendage obliteration to reduce stroke in cardiac surgical patients with atrial fibrillation. Ann Thorac Surg 1996;61:755-759