Is heart failure a major complication of atrial fibrillation?
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Dr. Michael Roizen answered:YES! Heart failure is in the top two of major complications associated atrial fibrillation. When you develop atrial fibrillation, your heart doesn’t pump blood as efficiently or effectively. As blood flow is squelched, heart failure walks in the door. At first, you might just feel tired and short of breath all the time. But as heart failure progresses (and worsens), it can lead to a dangerous build up of fluid in the lungs and extremities. So talk to your doctor if you’ve been feeling particularly tired or short of breath.YES! Heart failure is in the top two of major complications associated atrial fibrillation. When you develop atrial fibrillation, your heart doesn’t pump blood as efficiently or effectively. As blood flow is squelched, heart failure walks in... More -
Dr. Douglas Severance answered:Atrial fibrillation sometimes results in heart failure if the heart can no longer pump the proper amount of blood the body needs. During the abnormal heart rhythms of atrial fibrillation, the heart's lower chambers -- the ventricles -- are beating rapidly, but they are unable to fill up with the full amount of blood that normally gets pumped out to the rest of the body. Symptoms of heart failure include shortness of breath, fatigue, weight gain, and edema or fluid buildup in the arms and legs. Treatment for heart failure includes weight loss, stopping cigarette smoking, increased exercise, lifestyle changes, a combination of medications, and sometimes a heart transplant.
Atrial fibrillation sometimes results in heart failure if the heart can no longer pump the proper amount of blood the body needs. During the abnormal heart rhythms of atrial fibrillation, the heart's lower chambers -- the ventricles -- are beating... More
