Can atrial fibrillation lead to sudden death?

Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
Updated on September 14, 2024
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Atrial fibrillation is a very common arrhythmia in our daily lives, but does it lead to sudden death after its onset? Generally speaking, atrial fibrillation does not cause sudden death, but this does not mean that atrial fibrillation is safe. Atrial fibrillation often poses the following risks: Firstly, it causes symptoms; repeated episodes of atrial fibrillation can cause symptoms such as palpitations and chest tightness in patients. Secondly, it triggers heart failure; acute episodes of atrial fibrillation are often a significant cause of heart failure, which necessitates hospital treatment for many patients. Thirdly, it leads to complications from blood clots, which is one of the most severe yet common complications of atrial fibrillation, leaving sequelae such as weakness in walking or hemiplegia on one side of the body.

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Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
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Can atrial fibrillation cause cerebral infarction?

Patients with chronic atrial fibrillation have a relatively high incidence rate of embolism. For instance, those with a history of embolism, valvular disease, hypertension, diabetes, elderly patients, left atrial enlargement, and coronary artery disease are at increased risk of embolism. Atrial fibrillation is an independent risk factor for stroke. As age increases, the incidence of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation also increases annually; atrial fibrillation doubles the mortality rate of stroke and significantly increases the disability rate. At the same time, atrial fibrillation also significantly increases the risk of recurrent stroke. Studies show that the incidence of stroke within the first year after a stroke is 6.92% in patients with atrial fibrillation, compared to 4.7% in those without atrial fibrillation. Therefore, anticoagulation therapy is the primary strategy for managing atrial fibrillation.

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Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
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What medicine is used for atrial fibrillation?

The current medications for atrial fibrillation mainly include three types: the first type controls the ventricular rate, which ensures the basic function of the patient's heart and minimizes the cardiac dysfunction caused by atrial fibrillation. This includes drugs such as receptor blockers and calcium channel antagonists, digoxin, amiodarone, and others. The second type of drugs are those used for cardioversion. The third type of drugs are those used to prevent embolism, which are anticoagulants. Currently, the main drugs include warfarin, new anticoagulants such as dabigatran and rivaroxaban, and intravenous medications like low molecular weight heparin calcium and nadroparin.

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Written by Cui Bo
Cardiology
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Is atrial fibrillation the same as atrial flutter?

Atrial fibrillation, commonly abbreviated as AF, is a simple way to express atrial fibrillation, which is fundamentally pathological. Normal heart rhythm is sinus rhythm. Therefore, once atrial fibrillation occurs, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly rather than ignoring it. All patients with atrial fibrillation are scored to determine if they require anticoagulation therapy. Since atrial fibrillation is a trembling of the atrium and results in a completely irregular heartbeat, it can easily lead to the formation of blood clots in the left atrial appendage. Hence, if one discovers their heartbeat is very irregular, utterly irregular, immediate medical attention is necessary. An electrocardiogram can confirm the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, but it is essential to seek the underlying cause of the condition and manage both the ventricular rate in atrial fibrillation and the anticoagulation therapy.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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How to diagnose atrial fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation, abbreviated as AF, refers to rapid and irregular beating of the atrial chambers of the heart. How should one be examined after being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation? Generally, the examination for atrial fibrillation involves the following aspects: First, blood tests, such as thyroid function tests, to see if there is hyperthyroidism causing the atrial fibrillation. Second, echocardiography. This test can reveal whether there are any heart valve diseases or myocardial diseases that might lead to atrial fibrillation. Third, electrocardiogram (ECG) and Holter monitor. Both ECG and Holter monitoring are effective and non-invasive tests that confirm the diagnosis of atrial fibrillation.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Can atrial fibrillation heal itself?

No. Atrial fibrillation, often abbreviated as AFib, is becoming more common as society ages. Many patients ask their doctors if AFib will go away on its own. The answer is no, AFib will not resolve itself. Therefore, once diagnosed with AFib, it is essential to visit a hospital and follow the guidance of a doctor. Proper medication under medical supervision can control symptoms, prevent complications, ensure a good quality of life, improve long-term outcomes, and extend life expectancy.