Question 1

what is atrial fibrillation?

Accepted Answer

Fast irregular pulse: When the small chambers of the heart  ( atria) are beating very fast ( more than 300 beats per minute) the  larger chambers beat fast and irregularly.

Question 2

is atrial fibrillation inherited?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes: There is a gene that makes the tendency to get it more likely, but most a fib is due to environmental and aquired factors such as age, valvular heart disease and alcohol.

Question 3

can atrial fibrillation cause ed?

Accepted Answer

No: Afib cannot directly cause ed.  Medicines used to treat afib can impair erections and conditions associated with afib such as heart failure, coronary disease also can cause ed.

Question 4

is atrial fibrillation hereditary?

Accepted Answer

No: Congenital heart problems can be inherited and this can lead to afib. But afib itself is not.

Question 5

can atrial fibrillation affect ed?

Accepted Answer

No, but the meds can: Atrial fib should not affect erectile dysfunction in any direct way. However, two classes of medications commonly used to control heart rate in atrial fib (beta blockers and calcium channel blockers) can cause ed, or more commonly worsen ED symptoms that already exist.

Question 6

how is atrial fibrillation treated?

Accepted Answer

Several options: With medications to slow down the heart rate or control the heart rhythm, in the right setting blood thinners to minimize the risk of stroke, electrical shock to restore a normal rhythm and also catheter based approaches in order to remove the trigger for afib.

Question 7

is atrial fibrillation a disability?

Accepted Answer

It can be: If afib is difficult to treat ie unable to convert patient to normal rythm or unable to slow rate down with medicines, or perhapse the patient can't tolerate the medications to treat the problem , a person can be disabled. Pts with pre existing heart problems may not tolerate afib as well. Ablation therapy is not always effective and some patients may need a pacemaker. Just depends on pt

Question 8

what does atrial fibrillation means?

Accepted Answer

Irregular heart beat: Atrial fibrillation is a type of irregular heart beat that results in a fluttering (fibrillating) of the top portion of the heart.

Question 9

why is atrial fibrillation dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Cva, mi: 1 -  if the rate goes too fast...This can become a problem
2 - more commonly, when they beat so erratically, it gives an opportunity for the blood to clot in the atria, and then when that clot is pushed into the ventricles it can be pushed into the circulation where it may cause an mi or cva.

Question 10

can an atrial fibrillation be lethal?

Accepted Answer

Yes: When the heart is in atrial fibrillation, it causes blood to clot in the chambers of the heart.  These clots can flow out of the heart and cause strokes.  Strokes can be lethal.  Doctors sometimes put people on a blood thinner called warfarin (coumadin) to help prevent clots in people with atrial fib.  It's a serious condition, but manageable!  cheers!

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What is atrial fibrillation?

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What does atrial fibrillation means?

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