A 39-year-old member asked:
Why is ventricular fibrillation worse than atrial fibrillation?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Calvin Weisbergeranswered
52 years experience
Fibrillation: atrial fibrillation has normal left ventricular contractions put poor atrial function. Ventricular fibrillation has no real ventricular contractions so blood pumping essentially stops. Atrial fibrillation is a rhythm you can live with. Ventricular fibrillation is a rhythm you die with unless it is corrected quickly.
3.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 44-year-old member asked:
What is worse: ventricular fibrillation or atrial fibrillation?
3 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Michael Fensteranswered
Cardiology 32 years experience
Ventricular fib: Atrial fibrillation (af) in rare instances can be a life threatening condition. However, many thousands of people each day remain in af without any limitations as long as their symptoms and risks are addressed. Ventricular fibrillation (vf) on the other hand if not treated immediately (usually by elecetrical defibrillation) is almost always uniformly fatal.
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
What is more dangerous, atrial fibrillation or ventricular fibrillation?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
59 years experience
For: Any chances to "recover" from vfib one need to be in an intensive care an hooked to an ekg. And a slim chance to live. If someone collapses on the street, help has to come in minutes to jump heart back to normal rhythm. People who go in vfib have an underlying and severe heart disease.
Conclusion vfib kills a afib can be controlled, even normal rhythm may be restored. Big difference!
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:
What is the difference between atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation?
1 doctor answer • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Jason Rubensteinanswered
Cardiology 21 years experience
It depends: Ventricular fibrillation is from the bottom chamber; vf is worse; it usually causes cardiac arrest which is often fatal. Atrial fibrillation - from the top chamber- while not as severe, also has significant health risks. It increases the risk of stroke, which can be disabling or fatal.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Bennett Werner commented
Cardiology 45 years experience
I certainly agree with Dr. Rubenstein, but let's be clear: while they sound alike, the 2 rhythms are worlds apart. VF is the terminal rhythm in the majority of people who die with any form of heart disease and is fatal in about 2 minutes.. AF is treatable - one can live with it comfortably for decades and avoid strokes by taking appropriate anti-coagulant ("blood thinning") medication.
Nov 26, 2013
A 38-year-old member asked:
Atrial fibrillation versus ventricular fibrillation. Causes and cures?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Howard Rubinanswered
Cardiology 48 years experience
VF vs AF: Ventricular is lethal instantly. A fib is not lethal and treated with medications or ablation.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Can atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular beat cause ventricular fibrillation?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Jason Rubensteinanswered
Cardiology 21 years experience
Not usually: Not typically; however, if you also have an accessory pathway (wolff-parkinson-white syndrome), this is a unique situation where af is known to cause very rapid ventricular activation during af, which can lead to vf.
Rapid ventricular response may cause cardiac weakening over time, which in turn may increase the risk of vf.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Feb 22, 2020
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