Living with Familial atrial fibrillation
An inherited heart rhythm condition with a fast, irregular heartbeat and a higher risk of stroke.
Understanding Familial atrial fibrillation
Erratic electrical activity in the upper heart chambers causes a fast, irregular heartbeat. It often starts in adulthood. Complications can occur at any age, though some people never have health problems. It also raises the risk of stroke.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Fast, irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- Dizziness
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Fainting
- Tiredness (fatigue)
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include genetic specialists and heart and blood vessel specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Genetic specialists (geneticists); Heart and blood vessel specialists (cardiologists)
- Expert care
- Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with Team Titin
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
Changes in any of several genes can cause this condition, and some are not yet known. It is most often autosomal dominant, though autosomal recessive inheritance has been reported.
Also known as: atfb; hereditary atrial fibrillation (disease)
Patient organizations
- Team TitinFamilial atrial fibrillation · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Familial atrial fibrillation.
Explore research for Familial atrial fibrillation
Explore actively recruiting Familial atrial fibrillation studies with HealthSpark.
Find actively recruiting studies for Familial atrial fibrillation with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.
- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
- Share your city to look for research near you
- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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