Is Afib/Atrial Fibrillation Genetic/Familial?

There are a myriad of causes associated with atrial fibrillation or Afib, and many patients wonder if there is a family or genetic consideration. To get right to it, the short answer is yes; there are absolutely genetic components to the onset and even severity of atrial fibrillation. It is estimated that at least 138 genetic factors (and likely more we don’t know) can contribute to Afib.

What Does This Mean?

If you are reading this article and getting worried because a close family member has experienced Afib, we encourage you to take a deep breath and understand what a genetic risk factor means. Ultimately, this means that while your risk may be increased, it’s not guaranteed that you will experience Afib in your lifetime. In fact, knowing this risk creates an opportunity for prevention and early treatment in the case of an irregular heartbeat.

Know the Risk

By knowing your risk, you have taken a significant step in the prevention and/or early treatment of Afib. And for anyone who does not know much about their familial atrial fibrillation status, it’s essential, if possible, to speak to their parents and close family members to understand if they have had any cardiovascular problems, particularly Afib. As we learn more about genetics and the passing of certain conditions between family members, it can’t hurt to have a frank conversation with close relatives to understand your risk. Knowledge is most certainly power in this situation.

Prevention

While there is no way that we can accurately predict who will get atrial fibrillation, nor is there any way to entirely prevent Afib with certainty, knowing the genetic risk factors of any given patient helps us develop a plan to be proactive in prevention and detection. Preventing Afib, especially in those predisposed to it, revolves around general heart health. Patients with sleep apnea and high blood pressure, for example, are at a greater risk of Afib. Fortunately, both conditions can be effectively treated. Similarly, lifestyle factors such as excess weight and a sedentary lifestyle, as well as smoking and illicit drug use, can increase the likelihood of Afib. Younger patients who perform extreme workouts may also experience arrhythmia and should be aware of their heightened risk.

Early Treatment

With the knowledge that Afib may run in your family, patients can see their electrophysiologist early to have a comprehensive screening program for Afib and other cardiological issues. This is not to say that patients should obsess over every possible sign of Afib. However, it may also be helpful for these patients to have a portable EKG like an Apple Watch that they can use to occasionally monitor their heart rhythm and be notified if the device catches an arrhythmia. Further, periodic visits to an electrophysiologist, especially if patients are experiencing any of the symptoms associated with Afib, are never a bad idea.

The Bottom Line

Ultimately, while patients may be worried about their increased risk due to genetic and familial issues, they should take heart in knowing that atrial fibrillation is very treatable, especially in its earliest manifestations when it is occasional or paroxysmal.

The most important thing to remember is that at the first signs of arrhythmia, any patient, but especially those who have increased genetic risk, should speak to a qualified electrophysiologist like Dr. Tordini to understand more about their condition, get an appropriate diagnosis and understand the best bet for a treatment program, if any is needed.