What can I do to positively influence my life expectancy in case of existing atrial fibrillation?
In order to positively influence life expectancy in existing atrial fibrillation, two points are important: appropriate therapy and a healthy lifestyle. If the atrial fibrillation is known, a cardiologist must be visited regularly and examine the heart thoroughly. It is important that follow-up visits are taken seriously.
If medication is postponed, it must be taken strictly as directed by the doctor.A healthy lifestyle also plays an important role. If the heart is healthy, life expectancy in atrial fibrillation improves significantly. For a healthy heart, a balanced, healthy diet and regular exercise are extremely healthy.
Alcohol and nicotine should be avoided if possible. Bad food, lack of exercise, alcohol and cigarettes promote the development of vascular calcification (arteriosclerosis) and finally coronary heart disease (CHD), the main risk factor for atrial fibrillation. A healthy lifestyle effectively helps the heart and has an overall very positive effect on life expectancy.
The life expectancy of patients with a pacemaker for atrial fibrillation has improved significantly over the last thirty years. Pacemaker operations are routinely performed in German hospitals and the pacemaker devices usually reliably detect life-threatening cardiac actions, so that the pacemakers eliminate rhythm disturbances by means of targeted electrical stimulation. The pacemakers control the heart rhythm and eliminate existing rhythm disturbances.
Rhythm control and therapy using the pacemaker can prevent dangerous complications of atrial fibrillation such as embolisms and strokes and positively influence life expectancy. Blood-thinning medications are indicated for atrial fibrillation if there is a risk of embolism and stroke. Embolisms and strokes can be fatal in the worst case or cause severe disabilities that have a negative impact on life expectancy. If you suffer from atrial fibrillation and have an increased risk of embolisms and strokes, blood thinning can definitely have a positive effect on life expectancy.
If I do everything optimally, can I increase my life expectancy to a normal level?
It is not possible to prevent atrial fibrillation per se, but it is possible to positively influence diseases that cause atrial fibrillation. A balanced diet, exercise and avoiding stimulants such as alcohol and nicotine significantly reduces the risk of coronary heart disease, the main risk of atrial fibrillation. A healthy lifestyle has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system and can increase life expectancy.