What causes atrial fibrilation?

[gordie1]

Hi Im 39 and Ive just been diagnosed with AF what is the causes. Im waiting to see a cardiologist and Im on betablockers and asprin.

[Sqad]

Many many causes....don't Google it........it will make you confused.

Commonest cause in a patient of 39 years of age is "Lone Auricular Fibrillation......in other word.....no cause found.

[woodchopper]

I was diagnosed with it 5 yrs ago and was in hospital twice in 6 months becasue ticker went a bit wonky.
Stress is the main thing that would irritate my heart and not the usual "conscious" stress that day to day activites would incur.
First time in hospital they left it alone and sorted itself out in 24hrs and the second time they put me on a drip of Digoxin to stabilise it. Was on betablockers for a year but had to come off them as they slowed me down too much and gave me excruciatingly itchy hands when cold in winter.
Am now on Flecainide acetate for it 150mg /day.
Heart is not wonky all the time but I would get a few "missed" beats every day and the heart would go into AF just for a few seconds not as much as the missed beats.They said if it happened again and I was in hospital with it again they would shock me to right it.
Dont worry about it - I dont.

[woodchopper]

Meant to add I was 37 when diagnosed

[mazzywoo]

Hi Gordie1
Sometimes a reason for it can't be found! I had an episode of AF about 8 years ago and went in for echocardiograms and other tests and it was classed as a case of lone AF. I am on a low dose of Sotalol as a preventitive measure and it has never recurred.
Good luck when you see the cardiologist
Best wishes, Maz xx

[hollie1586]

My dad has this but is well controlled with meds. His was down to extreme stress at work (he was a paramedic) and excessive alcohol (not that he was an alcoholic). He did have a major stroke but that was due to a condition that made his blood thick and sticky, again due to alcohol.