Congestive Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation

Like atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure (CHF) is a chronic condition that worsens over time. It occurs when a heart has been damaged or overly-strained to the point where it can no longer effectively pump blood to the body’s other organs.39

Atrial fibrillation directly affects the pumping mechanism of the heart by interfering with the coordinated contractions of the atrial and ventricular chambers. Because the chambers are not able to properly and fully contract, the muscle walls of the chambers weaken over time, further diminishing the heart's ability to pump blood throughout the entire body. Conversely, the physical changes to the structure of the heart that can occur with CHF can also lead to atrial fibrillation.

Reducing your risk of CHF depends upon finding proper treatment for your classification of atrial fibrillation. If you would like information about your current options for treatment, you can request our free brochure.

Left-Sided Congestive Heart Failure

The left atrium receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins which is then pumped through the left ventricle into the aorta. With left-sided congestive heart failure, the left ventricle is either unable to contract effectively (systolic failure), or it is unable to relax effectively (diastolic failure). If systolic failure occurs, the left ventricle doesn’t have the power to pump sufficient amounts of blood into the aorta. If diastolic failure occurs, the left ventricle doesn’t have the ability to dilate fully because the muscle has become rigid and an insufficient amount of blood is received from the left atrium. When the left side of the heart begins to fail, pulmonary edema (fluid build-up in the lungs) is likely to occur and may result in a build-up on pressure in the lungs, known as pulmonary hypertension.

Right-Sided Congestive Heart Failure

Right-sided congestive heart failure is usually a result of left-sided heart failure. The right ventricle pumps oxygen-poor blood into the lungs. When there is pressure on the lungs (pulmonary hypertension), the ability of the right ventricle to pump blood becomes compromised. As the right side of the heart is further damaged and unable to pump effectively, fluid builds up in the veins throughout the body.

Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure

Because of the body's incredible ability to adapt to adverse circumstances caused by diseases and debilitating conditions, the symptoms of congestive heart failure can be hard to detect. As the heart loses muscle capacity, it compensates by enlarging, creating more muscle and pumping faster. The body compensates by reducing blood flow to the least-necessary organs so the brain and the heart can continue to receive sufficient amounts of nutrient-rich, oxygenated blood. By the time symptoms present themselves, usually as shortness of breath and fatigue, the heart has endured a significant amount of damage.

Treating any heart condition or heart disease is imperative for your good health. Just as your body has the ability to adapt, it also has the ability to heal. Medical care is available for congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation. If you have not been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, but you have experienced any of the symptoms associated with AF or congestive heart failure, you should consult your primary care physician or general practitioner for a medical evaluation.