No, atrial fibrillation (AFib) itself is generally not considered a terminal illness, but it's a serious condition that significantly increases risks for life-threatening complications like stroke, heart failure, and blood clots, and it does shorten life expectancy if poorly managed, though many people live full lives with proper treatment. While AFib's presence raises mortality risk, especially with age, it's the untreated complications, particularly stroke, that pose the immediate danger, making management crucial.
Both AFib and CAD are common, and both are forms of heart disease. Older people have a higher risk of developing AFib and CAD. Many of the symptoms and risk factors are the same. There's a strong correlation between the two.
If you have atrial fibrillation (Afib), your heart has episodes when it beats irregularly. The condition can cause troubling symptoms and serious medical complications, including blood clots that can lead to stroke and heart failure. Afib is a type of arrhythmia, or abnormal heart rhythm.
Atrial fibrillation is not life-threatening but it can create blood clots in the heart that may cause a stroke. If you have atrial fibrillation, it makes you five times more likely to have a stroke.
Background: The Heart Rhythm Society consensus statement arbitrarily defines atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation failure as any episode ≥30 seconds. However, if brief AF events are not correlated to longer events, the rationale for this end point is questionable.
SCD is the most common cause of cardiovascular death in patients with atrial fibrillation and has several distinct predictors, some of which are modifiable.
Age is a major risk factor for atrial fibrillation, but so is high blood pressure, which causes one in five cases of AFib. Additionally, “diabetes and other heart problems and structural problems such as blockages in your heart arteries or heart failure are also risk factors,” Dr.
Pulsed field ablation: A safer, faster AFib treatment
For many people with atrial fibrillation, the most effective treatment includes catheter ablation, a procedure in which the abnormal cells responsible for triggering the arrhythmia are eliminated and a normal heart rhythm is restored.
The last stage, 4, represents “Permanent AF,” where no further attempts are made at rhythm control, and is a shared decision with the patient and clinician. The new classification system also guides management based on stages while recognizing patients may transition among different substages of stage 3.
Patients who are asymptomatic or symptomatically stable should not be restricted from flying. Patients with permanent or persistent atrial fibrillation can fly after adequate rate control and anticoagulation. Patients with a history of ventricular arrhythmia are advised to consult their doctor before air travel.
AFib itself usually isn't life-threatening. But it's a serious condition that needs proper treatment to prevent stroke. Treatment for AFib may include medicines, therapy to shock the heart back to a regular rhythm and procedures to block faulty heart signals.
A personal survey of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), one of the most important causes of irregular heartbeats, has found that the majority of triggers for the condition are easily modifiable lifestyle choices, including alcohol, caffeine, exercise and lack of sleep.
The mean age of patients was 70.5 (+/-14.4) years. The findings paint a concerning picture: AFib was associated with a reduction in life expectancy of 2.6 years on average.
Managing AFib isn't just about being active. Rest is also key for heart health. Regular exercise is good for those with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib). But, adding rest strategies to your life can boost your overall health and help control symptoms.
Permanent Atrial Fibrillation: The Final Stage
At this stage, anti-arrhythmic treatments are ceased, and the treatment strategy changes to 'rate control' therapies. These bring the AFib rhythm back to an acceptable heart rate for both managing symptoms and to prevent long-term strain on the heart.
New research presented at the EHRA 2025, a scientific congress of the European Society of Cardiology, shows that the presence of atrial fibrillation (AF) increases the risk of future dementia by 21% in patients diagnosed with AF under 70 and the risk of early-onset dementia (diagnosed before age 65 years) by 36%.
Experts have identified heart rate danger zones for AFib patients that should sound an alarm. A resting heart rate consistently over 110-130 beats per minute (bpm) or exercise heart rate exceeding 170 bpm starts entering the high-risk category.
When atrial fibrillation occurs, the upper heart chambers beat in an unorganized rhythm. An A-fib heart rate is usually rapid, resulting in 100-200 beats per minute rather than the normal range of 60-100 beats per minute. If left untreated, A-fib can lead to chronic fatigue, congestive heart failure or stroke.
Conclusions: Left atrial thrombus does occur in patients with acute atrial fibrillation < 3 days in duration. The frequency of left atrial thrombus in patients with recent emboli is comparable between those with acute and chronic atrial fibrillation.