How bad is artial fibrillation? can someone with this live for a long time if caught early?

If it weren't for...: If it weren't for stroke risk, afib would be nothing but an annoyance. Sadly, afib does significantly increase your risk for stroke and medications should at least be considered to help decrease that risk. Other drugs should be used only if the symptoms bother you. Unless you have a second, very rare condition, you will not die of afib.