Quality of Life with Atrial Fibrillation

Your Quality of Life with Atrial Fibrillation

If you suffer from atrial fibrillation (AF), studies indicate – and your own experience likely backs it up – that atrial fibrillation puts a strain on your quality of life, especially when compared to the general, healthy population. Atrial fibrillation not only impacts your physical health; it can also lead to anxiety and depression. Treatment for atrial fibrillation, such as rhythm control and rate control drug therapies, may also have an impact on your lifestyle.

Rate control therapies consist of two forms of restrictive drug regimens that require diligent monitoring. Drugs must be taken every day, at the same time of day. Blood must be taken and tested on a regular basis, with dosages adjusted based on the results of each blood test. In addition, many lifestyle changes are recommended, including changing your diet. Alcohol and certain foods and activities must be avoided all together. There are also significant risks and side effects that may impact your habits and everyday life.

Rhythm control drug therapies require continued heart monitoring and have debilitating and often serious side effects. Rhythm control tends to take at least a year before maintenance of sinus rhythm is continuous, and it may only be successful in 60% of the patients who adhere to the drug regimen appropriately.⁴⁰

An Alternative to Restore Your Quality of Life

Many patients with atrial fibrillation admit that anxiety about having a stroke or heart failure significantly impacts their quality of life. Additionally, many patients struggle with the inconvenience of constant blood tests and doctor’s appointments, change of diet, and activity limitations. Some patients choose surgery as an option to improve their quality of life by reducing their dependence on lifelong drug regimens.

There are surgical options for appropriate candidates who suffer with atrial fibrillation. The Cox-Maze surgical set, which was first introduced in 1987, was the first surgical procedure to treat atrial fibrillation. Cox reported 98% of patients were free of atrial fibrillation after the surgery.⁴¹ Since the late 80's, modifications have been made to the Cox-Maze surgical procedure, and today the Mini-Maze (a minimally invasive closed chest surgery) and concomitant open-heart surgical ablation procedures are available. Candidacy for either of these procedures is dependent upon your health and ability to undergo surgery. It is therefore important to review your options for surgery before your disease progresses. Addressing your atrial fibrillation early increases the likelihood of success rate.

Your doctor can help you decide what your treatment options are based upon the type of atrial fibrillation you have and your overall health and medical history. Take the time to educate yourself about your treatment options, write down questions to ask your doctor at your next follow-up, and speak to your physician about your options and concerns. If you are a patient or physician and are interested in learning additional information about clinical studies currently underway, please call our Clinical Trial Hotline at (800) 401- 3506 or visit clinicaltrials.gov.

40. Chandramouli BV, Kotler MD (1998). Atrial fibrillation: Drug therapies for ventricular rate control and restoration of sinus rhythm. Geriatrics, 53(6): 46-60.
41. Damiano Jr. RJ. Gaynor SL, et al. The long-term outcome of patients with coronary disease and atrial fibrillation undergoing the Cox-Maze procedure. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2003;126:2016-21.