Persistent Atrial Fibrillation
Persistent Atrial Fibrillation usually follows
Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation unless the process is stopped
by medication or cardiac ablation.
Persistent Afib is a sustained pattern of atrial fibrillation
that does not return to normal by itself.
A person is usually said to have persistent atrial fibrillation if their heart
rate does not return to normal sinus rhythm within 7 days when not
treated.
Persistent afib is a when the abnormal heartbeat continues until it
is returned to normal by some form of treatment.
In a lot of patients the Atrial Fibrillation will progress further to the
point of Permanent Atrial Fibrillation.
This type of afib is now mostly refereed to as
Longstanding Persistent Atrial
Fibrillation as most patients can now be cured
by the newer anti-arrhythmic drugs, or catheter or surgical ablation.
One point I learned the hard way is that Atrial Fibrillation almost always
progresses, so getting your heart back into normal sinus rhythm must be a priority. The danger of
letting the afib continue is the underlying damage and remodeling of the heart tissue that the too fast -
abnormal - rhythm causes. This further damage will almost certainly lead to bad consequences and
even heart failure.
Afib can be cured or at the very least controlled but YOU must make the decision
to be proactive and get the help you need.
Stingram.
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