Does AFIB "wear out" the heart?

[Dixidude39]

Does AFIB, if not controlled by medication (such as atenolol or a succeessful ablation procedure) risk "wearing the heart out" in a patient with permanent AFIB?  I'm not referring to a blood thinner (I happen to be on Pradaxa).

[Dixidude39]

Whoops.  I need to be more careful about what I say.  I'd hate it if my disparaging  cardiologist remarks got back to this doc.  Probably a fine person, but I do stand behind my remarks.

[Elli126]

I live in Richmond and have an EP At Cardio Vascular Associates that I adore! I also work for a cardiologist at Chippenham medical center. I think there are some great cardio docs in Richmond and I wish you luck on your second opinion. PS I'm from Jersey originally too!

[Dixidude39]

I should have mentioned that in 2001, I had brachycardia.  My pulse dropped to around 30 beats per minute.  I received a Medtronic non-defilibrating pacemaker (replaced a year ago).  It's like a mini computer.  At this office visit, the Medtronic tech placed a sensor on top of my pacemaker and graphed when I was in afib by day and hour.  Looks like every day during the past 30 days ... once for 26 hours.
I get some of my medical care at the Veteran's Admin. hospital, and it was a physicians assistant that called me after a hip joint replacement to ask if my cardiologist had informed me I had afib (per his notes to my orthopedist).  I
said no. One more reason I'm not feeling good about my current cardio doc.

[Dixidude39]

Jerry, thank you for your information!  Last week my wife and I saw my cardiologist.  Can't say he gives me real confidence considering he must weigh about 300 lbs. and this time I noticed he had an eye that was either failing -- or possibly infected. He's probably around 55 years old.  The Medtronic tech, who has had afib for 20 years gave me much more confidence.  The answer you gave me echos what the doc said.  To be absolutely sure, however, I have a "second opinion" appointment in several weeks with a cardio electrophysiologist at VCU Medical School (Richmond, VA).  We lived in Chatham Township, NJ 25+ years ago.  I've been so busy
completing my tracker daily diet that I missed your message.  Thanks again.

[Jerry_NJ]

No, if the fibrillation is limited to the atrium.  In permanent AFib the atrium muscles suffer a fibrosis which means the muscles are not really pumping, just quivering.  This does not wear the heart out as long as the electrical signals to the Ventricles is controlled.  

I suffer from permanent AFib and have with very short term cardioversions ben in that state since April 2007.  I'm not recommending AFib be ignored, but my doctors have advised against any action beyond "rate control"... my resting HR when in bed goes as low as the upper 50s, runs in the 70 at rest when I am awake and doing light duties, like typing here.